Aphids are known to cause significant damage to roses in late June, but there is a natural method to eliminate them quickly using an everyday item available at most supermarkets.
Simple Natural Remedy for Aphids
Roses are relatively easy to care for during summer, typically requiring little more than regular watering to keep them blooming. However, it is essential to stay vigilant for tiny green insects creeping on new buds. Aphids, commonly referred to as greenflies, are the most frequent pest found on roses. They feed by drawing sap from the plant's stems and flower buds.
Their populations are known to explode in late June, and once they take hold in a garden, they will continue to ravage a rose until it is completely unable to produce new blooms. What makes these troublesome insects particularly destructive is that they secrete honeydew after feeding. This sugary waste product promotes mould growth and can ultimately kill roses by preventing sunlight from reaching their leaves.
Eco-Friendly Solution Using Castile Soap
Natalie Clause, a gardener and founder of Full Green Life, says there is a straightforward, eco-friendly method to keep aphids at bay using Castile soap. She explained: "Castile Soap is a wonderful ingredient to be used in many green cleaning DIYs around the house. It is the key component in the aphid rose spray that I use. I add peppermint oil as an insect repellent to keep the aphids from returning, but it is not necessary to actually kill the aphids. The water and Castile soap do that."
Aphids possess a waxy coating that assists them in retaining moisture on hot days. Applying soap breaks down this layer, causing them to dehydrate rapidly and perish. Washing-up liquid has become popular on social media as a remedy for aphids, yet the chemicals it contains can damage plants and beneficial insects such as butterflies and bumblebees. Castile soap is considerably gentler, being crafted from entirely natural ingredients, making it fully biodegradable and less likely to cause harm to your garden while remaining highly effective at tackling aphids.
How to Get Rid of Aphids Without Harming Your Roses
You will need:
- 500ml of water
- Two tablespoons of Castile soap
- 10 drops of peppermint essential oil (optional)
Castile soap is widely available at most beauty retailers across the UK, or can be found in the shower gel aisle of the majority of supermarkets. Should you have difficulty tracking it down, Dr. Bronner's liquid soap is a recommended alternative.
Method
To start, fill a spray bottle with water before adding the Castile soap and peppermint oil (if using). Give the bottle a vigorous shake to combine all the ingredients, and be sure to shake it well before every use.
Spray underneath each rose flower. Aphids are known to feed on any new growth, so make sure to coat any new buds or leaves on the plant. Once you have treated your roses, leave the solution to work for a couple of hours before inspecting the plant. Every last aphid should have vanished, with no need for harsh chemical products in your garden.
For best results, apply the solution to your roses either in the morning or evening, as spraying during the afternoon heat can scorch the leaves and cause unnecessary stress to the plant.
