How to Naturally Kill Aphids on Rose Bushes

Rosebushes add color and beauty to the landscape, but they often become damaged when insects invade them. Aphids are small insects that suck the sap out of foliage, which drains plants of their energy. The pests are small and may appear black, red, green or white. Instead of applying a chemical pesticide to the rosebush, you can remove the aphids using natural methods. Keeping the aphids off your rosebushes will keep the shrubs healthy and attractive.

Natural predators

Garden hose

Liquid dish soap

Allow the rosebush to defend itself. It may not be necessary to treat the rosebush when you notice an aphid infestation. The bush can remove the aphids itself by releasing chemicals.

Encourage natural predators to kill the aphids. Predators such as lady beetles, parasitic wasps and lacewings destroy aphids without the use of pesticides. Purchase these predators at nurseries, online stores or insectaries.

Spray the rosebush with a high-pressure garden hose. Spray all the leaves and foliage of the rosebush to dislodge the aphids. Aphids have a difficult time climbing back onto the foliage.

Create an insecticidal soap instead of purchasing one from the store by mixing 1 tbsp. of dish detergent with 1 quart of water. Spray the insecticidal soap over the rosebush to remove the aphids and then rinse the solution off three to four hours later to prevent damage to the foliage.

Cut off leaves that are heavily infested with aphids to remove large populations.

Do not apply insecticidal soap when temperatures are above 90 degrees F or if you introduced beneficial insects because it will kill them.