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One of the best ways to get rid of aphids is to get other insects to eat them for you. Ladybugs are the most common predator used for this purpose. Other insects that will eat aphids include lacewings, ladybugs and hoverflies.
You can purchase ladybugs from companies that breed and sell beneficial insects. When you get the ladybugs, keep them in a cool place, such as a refrigerator. Take them out to be released in the cool of the evening. This will allow the ladybugs to settle down in your garden since they won't fly at night. Scatter the ladybugs around your garden so they can find plenty of food immediately.
If you would like to try to lure ladybugs to your garden or add incentive for them to stay, plant mint, fennel, dill, yarrow, clover and dandelions. -
Aphids are attracted to certain plants. These include nasturtiums, asters, mums, cosmos, hollyhocks, larkspur, tuberous begonias, verbena, dahlias and zinnias. If you plant these away from your roses, the aphids will be more likely to attack the bait plants than your roses.
Don't over fertilize your roses. Aphids are attracted to the type of overgrowth that occurs with too much fertilizer. - Aphids will suffocate when placed in oil. Mix 1 cup canola oil, 1 1/2 cups water and 2 teaspoons of liquid dish soap. Spray it on the infested roses every day for several days. Do not spray the mixture if the temperature will be above 80 degrees Fahrenheit. This could damage the plant.
