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Help! What bugs are these?

ladybryladybry Posts: 12
in Problem solving
Hi
new gardener here and panicking because I’ve found these just appeared on the underside of my young roses and pink crispy photinia?
so worried that I’ve done something wrong 
thanks for any help

Posts

  • HelixHelix Posts: 631
    Aphids....not serious.  And a couple of ants harvesting honeydew.  I’m sure even the Queen has aphids.  Spray with a slightly soapy water, and repeat until they’ve all gone. 
  • ladybryladybry Posts: 12
    Ah ok Thanks Helix.
    ive sprayed a couple of times with the soapy water - it doesn’t seem to stop them coming back.  Would it be better to buy the stronger systemic stuff?
  • Guernsey Donkey2Guernsey Donkey2 Posts: 6,713
    I would suggest removing them with your fingers (wear gardening gloves if necessary).  However that many won't do your plant any harm and the birds will enjoy them if not ants or ladybirds. Buying a spray for a few aphids is a waste of money when nature can do the job for you @ladybry
  • HelixHelix Posts: 631
    I am totally anti buying stronger chemicals.  Ok so it’s only a quick spray on one or two plants, but we are seeing the effects of this with many fewer butterflies, birds, etc etc.  The wildlife is fast disappearing. And yes most of this is farming related but if we all do our bit to make our gardens a haven for wildlife it does help.  Within limits of course! 
  • ObelixxObelixx Posts: 30,090
    edited June 2019
    Trouble is, soapy sprays get the good guys too and you need them to come and create balance by eating up all the aphids.

    Ants like dry places so the first thing to do is make sure there's no dry nooks and crannies for them to build nests.  If the soil is dry they'll make nests in th esoil and under the roots of your treasures so, if your beds or pots are dyr, give them a good soaking.

    Ants will deliberately carry aphids on to plants where they suck the sap and breed and create a sugary excretion which the ants use to feed their young and their queen.   Squish the aphids with your fingers and use a blast from your hosepipe and spray nozzle to shift any you miss.   Keep an eye out for any coming back and repeat as necessary.

    Do everything you can to encourage ladybirds, hoverflies and lacewings who all eat aphids as both adults and in their larvae stage.   Tits and sparrows also feed aphids to their young in the nest - great source of protein and moisture.
    Vendée - 20kms from Atlantic coast.
    "The price good men (and women) pay for indifference to public affairs is to be ruled by evil men (and women)."
    Plato
  • ladybryladybry Posts: 12
    I will definitely be seeking to encourage wildlife to help - its a newly established garden and I have lots of plants still to buy.  I have been removing a lot of the aphids with my hands but they just seem to be everywhere and the roses are looking sad.  I sprayed with soapy spray this morning and when I got back this afternoon the two roses that had come into flower (it’s a newly planted one) looked decidedly wilted and brown around the edges.  To be honest I pruned one of them off as it had gone over despite only just coming into bloom the other day.  Feel like the plants aren’t happy with the soapy spray or that I’ve done something wrong.  Will persevere though and appreciate all your help and advice xx
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