How Can I Deal With Insects On My Queen Elizabeth Roses?

Do you have problems with Leafminers - flat, white larvae of a sawfly that feed between the upper and lower leaf surfaces?

Do you have problems with Japanese beetles - metallic-brown beetles that devour leaves giving them a characteristic skeletonized appearance?

Do you have problems with Tent caterpillars - hairy caterpillars with a white stripe down the back, that live communally in silken tents?

Do you have problems with aphids - tiny insects that cause distorted, yellow leaves?

Do you have problems with Scales - small circular armored insects that appear as bumps, often on the lower sides of leaves?

Do you have problems with Whiteflies - small, winged insects that look like tiny moths?

Do you have problems with Spider mites - tiny, 8-legged, spider-like creatures?

Do you have problems with thrips - small, yellow to black-winged insects?

Prune off and destroy all infested leaves. Remove debris in fall because it might contain overwintering leafminers. Introducing parasitic wasps is a very effective method of controlling leafminers. Chemical control is usually ineffective.

Handpick adult beetles into a can of soapy water but make sure to wear gloves as Japanese beetles are blister beetles. Apply parasitic nematodes to the soil to limit beetle grub populations. Use pyrethrin powder or neem oil as a last resort.

Tent caterpillars can be controlled by manually destroying their nests or egg cases, spraying leaves with BTK at the first sign of damage, or applying pyrethrin spray as a last resort.

Aphids cluster under leaves and on growing tips where they feed on plant sap. Leaves, stems, and buds get distorted, and later leaves and flowers drop from the plant. You can control them by washing them off the plant with water spray. Insecticidal soap should be used with severe infestations.

Scrape off minor infestations with your fingernail. Prune out badly infested growth, or use a soft brush and soapy water to gently scrub the scales off the stems. Control scales by spraying insecticidal oil during the growing season.

Control whiteflies by eliminating garden weeds and by introducing green lacewings in the garden. Spray infested plants with insecticidal soap every 3 days for 2 weeks.

Hose off plants when symptoms first appear. A strong stream knocks mites off plants and may give control. Introduce predatory mites. For severe infestations, spray plants with insecticidal soap or pyrethrin.

Control thrips by introducing lady beetles or lacewings, their natural predators. Insecticidal soap helps in severe infestations.

If you have problems with stem borers, caterpillars that mine the stems and branches, prune off infested tissue. If you see borer holes in your plants, probe into them with a flexible wire or inject a solution of parasitic nematodes. After treatment, seal holes with putty.