Rose Bush Care and Insecticides

Rose bushes face threats from pests during the warm months of summer.

Rose bushes are attacked by a variety of pests in the garden, which can weaken the plant or cause eventual death of the entire bush. Several insecticides are available for the control of insects that damage roses.

Sawfly

Sawfly larvae will skeletonize rose bush leaves.

Sawfly larvae are identified by their coloring -- light green bodies and orange heads. They strip away leaves, leaving only the skeleton or veins of the leaf behind. Use horticultural oil, neem, Orthene, Sevin, malathion, diazinon or an insecticidal soap for control of sawfly adults and larvae.

Leaf Eating Beetles

Leaf eating beetles will strip the foliage from rose bushes.

The Japanese beetle, false Japanese beetle and rose chafer are all leaf and flower eating beetles. These pests can be picked off by hand and drowned or you can use insecticides such as Sevin, Orthene, diazinon or Dursban for control.

Fuller Rose Beetle

Roots can be damaged by the fuller rose beetle larvae.

Fuller rose beetle larvae feed on the roots of the rose bush while the adults are busy stripping the foliage. Adults are nighttime feeders and are harder to control with simple handpicking. Control them with Sevin, Orthene, diazinon or Dursban.

Leaf Cutters

Bees are nature's pollen carriers.

Leaf cutting bees may borrow pieces of leaves to help build their nest but are not usually a threat to rose bushes. This insect is a beneficial pollinator and control is not needed.

Considerations

It is never a good idea to spray insecticides directly on blooms. Beneficial bees can be harmed by landing on treated blooms and may carry an insecticide back to the main hive, killing many more bees.

References

• University of Minnesota Extension: Insect Pests of Roses

Resources

• University of Arkansas Cooperative Extension: Consumer Insecticides