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trustmissy

aphids and leaf rollers

I live in Mid-Michigan and am having a terrible time with aphids on my roses. I have never seen them so bad. I use Bayer systemic products and they are not helping at all. I spray them off with the hose and they are still eating my rose buds. I am also seeing a lot of small green worm like insects that are curling the leaves on the roses. But they also appear to be eating the buds. I take care of my mom's gardens and she is having the same problem. I use the Bayer all in one systemic on her roses and it has not helped with her aphids either. Are any of you experiencing this problem this year? If so, what are you doing to alleviate the problem?

Comments (6)

  • 17 years ago

    Not on roses but on the young cherry trees. However, I used bayer systemic and everything dissapeared. Try eventually using soapy water or using natural predators.
    The worm-like insects may be Arge ocropus / Arge pagana.
    They should be affected too by bayer systemics. Are sure you are using them correctly ? I was always very satisfied with them.

  • 17 years ago

    I have been using the Bayer systemics for years and I apply them as directed. The aphids are making a mess of my yard, because I have a lot of huge maple trees that the aphids are attacking and the sticky honeydew is everywhere, on everything.

    The little green creatures are rolling the leaves on the roses, and they look exactly like the pictures I have seen of leaf rollers. But they also appear to be eating the buds.

  • 17 years ago

    Leaf-tyer caterpillars feed on the foliage. That's why they build shelters among the leaves. They are inside during the day, very easy to find and squish them.

    Trust me, aphids are not a serious problem. Everyone has them in spring, but they don't do significant damage. Just wipe off the heavily-infested growth tips with your fingers or knock them off with a spray of water if you are watering. Or you can spray the new growth with insecticidal soap.

    I presume you are using the All-in-One soil drench product. Most people here recommend against it because you are applying much more chemicals to the garden than needed, the Merit component can cause spider-mite outbreaks, the insecticide doesn't work consistently, and the product is very expensive.

    The Bayer Disease Control containing only tebuconazole, applied with a tank sprayer, is very effective for blackspot. Most growers don't apply insecticides routinely

  • 17 years ago

    I am having the WORST hard time with aphids this season also and nothing is working. Very, very frustrating! I have yet to find something that works consistently on my pesky aphids and have resorted to literally donning gloves and pulling the little buggers off with my fingers (along with the other methods). In other words, I have no advice, but I feel your pain, trustmissy! Good luck - let me know if you find something that works consistently!

  • 17 years ago

    I have terrible problems with aphids also (!)here in Zone 5b area.MI. You are not going nuts. I am using Bayer products-perhaps all the rain has flushed it thru the soil more quickly than usual(?)One month ago(?) Lots of damage in my yard...l am looking for a solution too! I do not have little green wormy creatures-would be happy to see anything that would sit up and fight! Show me the money! People who say aphids do not do significant damage have not been in my yard...(!)trustmissy-goodluck.

  • 17 years ago

    Daisy, what type of serious damage do your aphids do?