any systematic spray for chewing insects will get rid of aphids, but ants also eat aphids

g'day,

you will robably find you have the aphids because you have ants, aphids don't need heavy handed approach they can simply be sprayed off the plants with a strong spray from the garden hose, or spray them with soapy water.

i realy wonder at how much damage can aphids realy do to a healthy plant ok the for those roses they may make the flowers look spotty but then how important is that in the bigger picture? or they can create some sooty mould unsightly maybe but not that detrimental citrus fruit full if sooty mould still taste the same, again they can simply be hosed off.

but if the ants are there then you need to move the ants on or the aphid issue will persist. another way is if they are on trees/shrubs like citrus or roses put a smear of vaseline around the trunk to stop the ants walking up the trunk, be sure that no other part of the plant touches anywhere else that the ants can make alternative route to bypass the vaseline.

len

Here is a link that might be useful: len's garden page

Thank you for your help,we are not aloud any type of hose,so I can't spray them,.I have tried all the natural remedies like soap water,washing up liquid and water,garlic onion and water,and find am a slave to the roses iam out there every second day killing the aphids still so I wanted to try chemical,the roses are very important to me as the garden is in memory of my son,I only have 6 roses.the velvet soap and water worked the best but not good enough

what about the ants? no good treating the aphids and not the ants, ants first then aphids will be easy. grow native plants they aren't as susseptable to things like roses are.

again how much damage do they realy do? saw an old lady in her garden last night on tv showed her watering her roses all with planty of aphids on, the flowers looked good to me.

len

The aphids are having a great year and seem to be on everone,s
roses.We use a pyrethreum diluted to manufacturers instructions.I only spray the stems and not on a hot day,preferrably at dusk.we (me and my neighbours)and everones roses are looking great.As you say its dificult with water restictions to hose them when you want and squashing them is a slow job For ants we use euctalyptos spray from household disinfectant.diluted as per instuctions.also as mentioned by Len vaseline on the trunks is good
good luck and aphid free roses chas

Just an FYI for those who do not know.... Ants do NOT like cinnamon, for an inexpensive & natural way to be rid of them. I saved my apple tree from them by inserting a few cinnamon sticks in the ground at the base of the tree. My husband was shocked at how well it worked! Hope it helps you, too!

cinnamon sticks hey?? can i put that suggestion on our web page? when i can i'll give it a try as well.

len

Here is a link that might be useful: len's garden page

White oil is the answer for aphids its garden friendly and harmless to all living things .You buy it at your garden suppliers and follow directions When you spray make sure you spray over and under the leaves .The white oil smothers the aphids.Another thing to note as long as you have aphids you will have ants as they farm them .The aphids exude a sweet substance the ants love .I always made my own white oil using any vegetable oil but its easier to buy it .Good gardening.

Hi. A couple of weeks ago I had the best time watching aphids on one of my roses. It was smothered in aphids, so much so that from a couple of metres away it looked as if the stems had a velour coat. There was so much honeydew from the aphids (that sweet substance others have mentioned) it was dripping from the leaves. I felt very tempted to spray but held back, remembering last year how hoverflies had cleaned up my aphid problem. This year the ladybirds led the assault, with hoverflies and predatory wasps backing up. I haven't sprayed that rose and it, and all my other roses, look fine.
Please keep in mind that when you spray for aphids then you are very likely to be also killing those wonderful natural enemies of the aphids: ladybirds, hoverflies, lacewings, predatory wasps.
I don't know how much damage they are doing to your roses, but maybe a little bit is acceptable when we let nature take care of the pest problem.