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Make them stop eating my roses!

8 years ago

I went outside to water my roses this morning and realized something has been eating them. I had noticed it before, but not recently, so I didn't think it was a big deal. One bush has some complete leaves eaten, and the other has both something eating the buds and the one bud that looks like it is crying syrup. I'm in Knoxville, TN, zone 7, and don't want to use anything that will harm any of the bees, but definitely want to kill whatever is killing my roses! Thanks for the help!!

Goodbye leaves

Goodbye bud

The "crying" bud

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Comments (5)

cecily
8 years ago
I don't think the lacy leaves and damaged bud are related: lots of insects like to nosh on roses. The leaf damage was probably caused by rose slugs (sawfly larva). They are tiny green worms that hide on the underside of leaves. They are best controlled by squishing (or insecticidal soap in severe infestations). Look for green worms but they're probably long gone. In most areas they disappear by July and you're just seeing old damage. The bud damage could be June bugs feeding at night or grasshoppers. Its annoying but it won't do any long term damage to the bush.
coreygood
Original Author
8 years ago
It may be rose slugs, but the damage wasn't as extensive yesterday. Should I just wait it out or spray an insecticide?

Here's a closer picture of one of the leaves
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rosecanadian
8 years ago
Ye gads! That's a lot of damage!!!

Definitely sawfly damage.

What most of us do (at least I do) is as soon as you see the damage beginning - look on the underside of the leaves and squish any green larvae (looks like tiny green caterpillars) you see. I check everyday for any new damage. That way it never gets as bad as your damage.

However that doesn't help you now. Personally I don't spray. I would be VERY vigiliant and look under all the leaves and squish. They will not be at the bottom part of you rose (they've eaten most of that). They will be at the top part of the damage (still UNDER the leaves though).

Someone else may have other ways for you to deal with this.

Carol - good luck!
jim1961 / Central Pennsylvania / Zone 6
8 years ago
last modified: 8 years ago
Here check this out:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tA6mclUE6Vk

Pick or hose them off the bush...

Safers insecticide soap and Spinosad work if used according to directions...
meredith_e Z7b, Piedmont of NC, 1000' elevation
8 years ago
I've used spinosad when mine is that bad, but you must protect the bees from it while wet. Do it after they've gone in, remove blooms nearby, and don't use much at all. If they are that voracious (and mine were), they will eat the spinosad-poisoned leaves soon enough. So don't drench the rose or anything. I put random sprays on leaves around the affected plant. It can really hurt bees before it's dry, but after that it's one of the safest insecticides around. I wouldn't spray the buds in your case. Let them eat the leaves to die and then they won't bother the buds, either. Then the blooms will be even safer for the bees when the buds open, imho.

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