If you suddenly discover deformed and sticky shiny leaves on your roses or damaged areas on the shoots, it is most likely an infestation with aphids. These green, red or white plant lice are quite common on roses and feed on the plant's nutritious sap. An infestation is so likely that there is even a subspecies that specializes in roses, the rose aphid. Fortunately, the lice can be easily combated with simple means.
The faster aphids are controlled, the better
Effectively prevent an infestation
Since prevention is known to be better than cure, you should prevent a possible aphid infestation in advance. Effective prevention starts with the purchase of the roses, whereby you should only purchase healthy and undamaged goods with strong roots. On the other hand, if the rose makes a limp impression, or even has wilted leaves or shoots, you should rather keep your hands off it. The probability of bringing a plant disease into the house or garden or attracting aphids is simply too high. The animals prefer to attack weakened plants, which is why further prevention is aimed at strengthening the roses. This, in turn, happens not only through special, plant-based tonics, but also through optimal site conditions and good care.
What to do when it's already too late? Effectively combat aphids
But even if you do everything right, aphids can settle on your roses. Act as quickly as possible to minimize the damage. In addition, the lice are easier to fight in the early stages of an infestation.
Home remedies for aphids
In the case of a lighter infestation in particular, various home remedies have proven their worth, which protect the plant but put an end to the unloved aphids. This includes these three methods:
Treatment with soft soap and alcohol
The mixture of soft soap (€44.90) and alcohol has proven particularly effective in combating aphids, and there are various recipes. Instead of soap and alcohol, you can also use washing-up liquid and sunflower or rapeseed oil, although you should use non-flavored agents if possible. Ecological detergents or those for sensitive skin are particularly suitable.
Get rid of aphids with lavender oil
You have certainly heard or read that roses and lavender should be planted together. In fact, this combination also looks very aesthetic in the garden and is effective against aphids, but the two types of plants have completely different needs in terms of location and care. Instead, you can tackle the aphids with a mixture of water and a few drops of lavender oil, because the little creatures don't particularly like the aroma of this Mediterranean plant.
Use nettle manure against aphids
Nettles are also not particularly popular with aphids, which is why treatment with nettle manure usually has a good effect. In addition, this remedy has the advantage that it has a strengthening effect and also supplies the rose with important nutrients - nettle manure is an excellent tonic and a good fertilizer.
Fight aphids naturally
In addition to the home remedies described, various useful insects and their larvae can also be used to effectively combat aphids. Beneficial insects such as ladybugs, lacewings, grove hoverflies and earwigs can be settled with the help of an insect hotel. You can also buy the animals you want and bring them directly into your garden.
Biological and chemical control agents
Biological and chemical control agents such as neem and others should be used as little as possible. These substances are not only poisonous for aphids, but also for humans and other animals.
tips
Where there are aphids, there are often ants. Keep an eye out for these little crawlies and shoo them away as soon as possible, as they can cause serious damage, especially to the roots of plants.