Natural Bug Spray for Rose Bushes

Caring for your roses demands a certain amount of time and attention. Roses need pruning, mulching, watering, feeding and monitoring for pests. Aphids, whiteflies, scale, leafhoppers, thrips and caterpillars are just a few of the insects that can cause damage to roses. Those concerned with the toxic effects of insecticides prefer natural bug sprays for their rose plants.

Water is the first line of defense for those who wish to use natural bug sprays on their roses. A once-over with the fine spray from a garden hose will dislodge aphids and whiteflies, encouraging them to make their home elsewhere. For gardeners who dislike removing insects by hand, a hard spray will remove caterpillars and other crawling insects without having to touch them.

Insecticidal soap is often used to kill insects on plants. There are many homemade recipes for insecticidal soap available. However, gardeners cannot always know what ingredients are in the soaps and detergents used in homemade recipes. Some of these ingredients can injure delicate plant tissues. A safer idea is to use commercial organic insecticidal soaps specifically formulated for use on plants.

Neem oil is a compound derived from the neem tree that grows in India and Southeast Asia. It is used in cosmetics and also has insecticidal properties that have been used for hundreds of years. Neem oil is a component of many natural plant insecticides sold commercially. To make your own, dilute one tbsp. of Neem oil concentrate in one gallon of water and spray it directly on the plants to kill bugs.

Pyrethrins are compounds found in the powdered, dried flower heads of Chrysanthemum cinerariaefolium, as well as C. coccineum and C. marshalli. They have insecticidal properties. The insecticide derived from these pyrethrins is referred to as pyrethrum. It works as a nervous system poison. It is diluted in a water base and sprayed directly on the bugs. Pyrethrum is an ingredient in many commercially available organic and natural insecticide sprays.

The oils in citrus fruit act as a natural insecticide. You can make your own citrus spray by mixing two oz. of orange oil in a gallon of water along with a pinch of cayenne pepper to make the plants less tasty to insects. Commercial organic citrus oil products are available at garden centers and plant nurseries.

A simple garlic spray, made by steeping three garlic cloves in a quart of hot water, also works as a natural bug spray for roses. Fill a spray bottle with the garlic solution and spray it generously on rose plants. It works by making the foliage unpalatable for chewing and sucking insects that damage plants. The garlic smell dissipates quickly in the open air.