Forum home› Problem solving
This Forum will close on Wednesday 27 March, 2024. Please refer to the announcement on the Discussions page for further detail.

rose bush insects

josiemarshallukjosiemarshalluk Posts: 3
in Problem solving
Hi, can anyone advise a way of keeping insects off my rose bushes without using an insecticide?  Mainly greenfly / blackfly etc.  Many thanks

Posts

  • BobTheGardenerBobTheGardener Posts: 11,385
    Hang a bird feeder nearby and birds like blue and long-tailed tits will pick them off while awaiting their turn at the feeder.  You can also use a hand spray gun or hose spray attachment to blast them off.  Then there's the spraying with soapy water method which drowns them.  There are reports of lots of ladybirds about this year, so those will soon be clearing them up for you.  Until then, I recommend knocking them off with a spray.
    A trowel in the hand is worth a thousand lost under a bush.
  • DovefromaboveDovefromabove Posts: 88,147
    Just to clarify ... @BobTheGardener is referring to a spray of water from a hose ... not a spray from a can of insecticide. 

    Hope you don’t mind me removing any doubt Bob 😊 

    Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.





  • josiemarshallukjosiemarshalluk Posts: 3
    brilliant thanks so much guys for your advice 
  • B3B3 Posts: 27,505
    You can also gently squish them with your fingers. Stroke from the base of the leaves or buds to the tip
    In London. Keen but lazy.
  • AthelasAthelas Posts: 946
    edited April 2021
    I know it's not a proven thing but I'm trying out worm castings on my roses this year to help ward off aphids (https://journeywithjill.net/gardening/2019/05/21/3-organic-aphid-control-methods-tested/ and https://dengarden.com/gardening/Worm-Castings-A-Gardeners-Secret-to-Success). At any rate it's supposed to help with plant nutrition.
    Cambridgeshire, UK
Sign In or Register to comment.