Rose BushesA Grower's Guide to Roses
Rose Guide

How to Get Rid of Aphids on Roses

Blast aphids off with a strong jet of water, and repeat every few days. For persistent colonies, use insecticidal soap or encourage ladybugs. Avoid broad insecticides that also kill aphids' predators.

Aphids cluster on soft new buds and shoots, sucking sap and leaving sticky honeydew. The simplest control is a firm spray of water that knocks them off — most cannot climb back. Repeat every couple of days during an outbreak.

If they persist, insecticidal soap or neem oil works on contact. Better still, welcome natural predators: ladybugs and lacewings can clear an infestation on their own, which is why broad-spectrum insecticides often backfire by killing the very insects that control aphids.