Not daily, soap can take 24 hours to kill them in some weathers. Knocking them back every few days, just the encrusted shoots, should be enough to produce decent flowers.

Y'know, Red, the FASTEST way to get rid of them (I just HATE seeing those mounds of icky aphids) is:
1. Turn a garden hose on high.
2. Grasp the afflicted stem.
3. Turn the hose on the stem, while at the same time brushing the clots of aphids off with your fingers.
4. After doing all of the WORST clots that way, pressure-wash the rest of the bush.

Jeri

Jeri, I do that, but they come right back.

Yeah, they do, but that's okay isn't it? :) I don't find it a big deal - it's my daily patrol of bug squishing. Yeah, my fingers get gross - but oh well. After about a week, I find they're gone.

Carol :)

Hi redsox, I was wondering the same thing about how often to spray too. They are so gross and I do squish and spray but sometimes theres just toooooo many to walk around and squish and have time to do anything else. I have some tiny little black spots on a couple of my stems on Pat Austin and wondered if they are from the aphids doing their thing. grrrrr.... The bloom still opened up nicely and if I remember right it was the first rose I noticed those suckers on. Just ready for them to DIE or go away. Judy

Mine are starting to subside as the new growth gets older and the buds firm up. I'm still doing squish patrol, but there aren't as many as a week ago. I just hope all my roses bloom before I leave next Sunday. I'll be gone for 3 weeks and I don't want to miss the best spring flush I've ever had.

One could plant a target plant like a Spirea. The aphids just line up in rows to be squished on that plant prior to bothering the roses. It is a very satisfying pursuit. One does not need to bend over or squat, just squish away.

It doesn't get much better!

F.L.

I've found an organic treatment developed locally in Australia, based on chili and garlic, that treats aphids like a charm, and is harm-free (apart from its scent :-). Gently spray new shoots and buds twice a week and they're all gone. Works better than soap which you'll never know how's going to work.
Other than that, you can't really get rid of them. If it's their season, it's their season.

It may be that some of you are dealing ONLY with the aphids that are easily visible as you check your roses.

I've found that the majority of aphids in my garden are doing their deed on the UNDERSIDE of new leaf growth. For what it's worth, it seems to me that the heaviest infestations are on roses whose new growth is burgundy, rather than green, in color.

Aphid Butter

1/4 cup squished aphids
1 stick salted butter, melted
garlic to taste

Whisk the aphids into the butter and spread on bruschetti, baked fish, or boiled potatoes. The brown aphids that predominate this year create a beautiful orange glaze, but the green ones may be used if that's all you have.

He he, Michael. I was going to browse through my Rachael Ray cookbooks today, but perhaps I should just hang out with you. ;-)

Debbie

Most of my roses are finally starting to bloom and I don't see any damage from the aphid invasion. Time to exhale.

Jaxondel -- Thanks for the heads-up!!! I checked many of my roses this afternoon. Just as you said, the undersides of new leaves were hosting HORDES of aphids! And, yes, the roses with burgundy/reddish new growth had the most . . . Why do you suppose that is?