Knowledgebase

Rose bushes #863955

Asked April 10, 2024, 12:29 PM EDT

Can you recommend an environment-friendly rose bush spray that's an insecticide, fungicide, and miticide?

Frederick County Maryland

Expert Response

Horticultural oils can *almost* fit that bill, though they are not the most effective fungicide other than powdery mildew.

Are you sure you need all three? In general (similar to medicines we use) it's best for us and the environment to only apply pesticides that are absolutely needed, and only after the problem/pest is correctly identified.

Here is our page on Roses that will help you to correctly identify and best manage the problems that your plants may have: 
https://extension.umd.edu/resource/rose-identify-and-manage-problems/


Christine


Hi Christine, 

 


What do you think is attacking the rose bushes, and what is the remedy? ?

 


Stephan

 


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The Question Asker Replied May 06, 2024, 12:38 PM EDT

Hi Christine, 

 


What do you think is attacking the rose bushes, and what is the remedy? ?

 


Stephan

 


image

 



The Question Asker Replied May 06, 2024, 12:43 PM EDT
That is the work of the larvae of a pest called Roseslug Sawfly.
You can learn about it and what to do under the insect pest section of the Rose page linked above.
They have become very common but can be very hard to see as they blend in well with the foliage- look for a small, green, almost transparent worm on the undersides of the leaves. In my yard I squish them with a gloved hand, blast them off with a hose and welcome the the wrens and other small birds who pick them off and eat them.


Christine

Thank you!


The Question Asker Replied May 06, 2024, 2:40 PM EDT

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