Aphids and Spider Mites
Aphids and spider mites both feed on roses but need different expectations. Aphids are insects on soft growth. Spider mites are arachnids that often flare in hot, dry, dusty, or drought-stressed conditions.
Aphid signs
- Clusters on soft shoots, buds, and new leaves.
- Sticky honeydew and sometimes black sooty mould.
- Distorted soft growth when populations are high.
- Ant activity may protect aphids from predators.
Spider mite signs
- Fine yellow or white stippling on leaves.
- Bronzing or dusty-looking foliage.
- Fine webbing on undersides when populations are high.
- Mites show up by tapping foliage over white paper and watching for moving specks.
Cultural and mechanical controls
- Support vigorous but not overfed plants.
- Use a firm water spray to knock aphids or light mite populations off leaves, including leaf undersides.
- Reduce drought stress and dust for mite-prone roses.
- Protect predators such as lady beetles, lacewings, syrphid larvae, and predatory mites.
Direct treatment notes
- Insecticidal soap and horticultural oils can help with aphids and light mite infestations when thoroughly applied to the pest, especially undersides.
- Oils and soaps can damage stressed plants, open flowers, or foliage in heat. Follow the label.
- Avoid broad-spectrum insecticides when possible because they can kill predators and make mite outbreaks worse.
- Use miticides only when correctly labelled and needed; many insecticides do not control mites well.
Use controls lawfully: Current local product label/register wins for any pesticide, fertiliser, or soil amendment use.
Sources
Discussion log
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