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Rose Pests

- Roses host a variety on noxious pests -

Summary: Roses can be difficult to grow because of insect pests and diseases. Aphids and certain leaf-feeding beetles can be the most damaging. Fortunately there are relatively low toxicity solutions to these pests.

Jack DeAngelis, PhD
OSU Ext. Entomologist (ret.)

Aphids & black spot fungus on rose

Roses are host to a wide range of insect and disease pests. The following Oregon State University Extension publication "Controlling Disease and Aphids on Your Roses" was published in 2000 and gives basic information about rose care. A pdf version also is available (click on "print version" link to download the pdf file).

For most gardeners aphids and black spot leaf fungus will be your main concerns. Another fungus, powdery mildew, can become a problem for some roses, in some years.

The very best treatment for aphids is overhead watering combined with insecticidal soap. Use the "wash-soap-wash" procedure described for spider mites. It works great and is non-toxic to you and to beneficial insects and mites.

 
peace rose

Peace Rose, Elizabeth DeAngelis, Copyright 2005, www.calyphoto.com; Adjust your monitor
 

Japanese beetles and roses

In some regions (including the eastern US) Japanese beetle and rose chafer are severe pests of rose. Adult beetles can do significant damage to foliage and flowers if left untreated. Adults emerge in early summer and immediately start to feed on a wide range to host plants but rose is one of their favorites.

See the Japanese beetle page for identification and control details but many rose gardeners combine hand-picking with a foliar (leaf) spray of insecticide when beetles are present. A good choice for an insecticide in this situation is EcoPCO WPX (below). As a wettable powder EcoPCO WPX is easy to apply with a garden sprayer, relatively low toxicity and easy on beneficials at least compared to conventional insecticides.

Insecticides and traps

New botanical insecticides like EcoPCO WPX (right) can be safely used for Japanese beetle control on roses. See label instructions for this application.

As with any insecticide, please read and carefully follow these instructions.

Apply when beetles start feeding in early summer or when your Japanese beetle traps start to collect beetles. Re-apply as necessary.

The Pest Management Store

Identification guides, reference and gardening books, etc.

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Mission: To provide accurate, up-to-date and unbiased information for solving common insect and mite problems around your home, business and landscape using least-toxic methods.

Jack DeAngelis, Ph.D.

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