6 Best Insecticides For Roses of 2024

By Harry RamosLast update: 2024-03-28

Although roses are beautiful, they attract many harmful insects, bugs, and diseases. Thus, you need to make preparations.

If you are looking for an insecticide that can save your roses now, determine what is attacking them to choose a suitable solution.

Here are the best insecticides for roses you can buy in 2024:

  • Fungicide, Miticide, And Insecticide Combo: Bonide Captain Jack's Neem Oil Spray
  • Fast Acting: Natria 706230A Insecticidal Soap Organic Miticide
  • Best For Rose Slug Control: BioAdvanced 3-In-1 Insect, Disease and Mite Control
  • Best For Thrips Control: Garden Safe 100046240 295881 80422 Houseplant and Garden Insect Killer
  • Best For Aphids Control: Bonide Mite-X Insecticide and Miticide
  • Best For Japanese Beetles Control: Fertilome (11207) Tree & Shrub Drench
6 Best Insecticides For Roses
Fungicide, Miticide, And Insecticide Combo
Bonide Captain Jack's Neem Oil Spray
    Fast Acting
    Natria 706230A Insecticidal Soap Organic Miticide
      Best For Rose Slug Control
      BioAdvanced 3-In-1 Insect, Disease and Mite Control
        Best For Thrips Control
        Garden Safe 100046240 295881 80422 Houseplant and Garden Insect Killer
          Best For Aphids Control
          Bonide Mite-X Insecticide and Miticide
            Best For Japanese Beetles Control
            Fertilome (11207) Tree & Shrub Drench

              Fungicide, Miticide, And Insecticide Combo: Bonide Captain Jack's Neem Oil Spray

              Bonide Captain Jack's Neem Oil Spray
              Bonide Captain Jack's Neem Oil Spray
              Pros
              • Safe
              • Affordable
              Cons
              • Unpleasant scent

              Are your roses suffering from many problems at the same time? If so, there is no need to buy different products to treat each of them. Using too many products can make you confused about how to apply all of them at the right time and if it is safe to combine them together to treat your roses or not.

              Instead, consider an all-in-one insecticide like the Bonide Captain Jack’s Neem Oil Spray that is a fungicide, miticide, and insecticide combo. Specifically, they can kill aphids, beetles, caterpillars, fruit files, mites, and whiteflies at all stages and prevent powdery mildew, downy mildew, rust, scab, and leaf spot.

              Bonide Captain Jack's Neem Oil Spray Specifications

              Form

              Liquid

              Weight

              2.25 Pounds

              Volume

              32 Fluid Ounces

              Active Ingredients

              Orfeld hydroiodic extent of neem oil

              Highlight Features

              Multi-purpose

              Organic

              Verdict

              The Bonide Captain Jack's Neem Oil Spray is a multi-functional product because it can treat many problems at the same time.

              Fast Acting: Natria 706230A Insecticidal Soap Organic Miticide

              Natria 706230A Insecticidal Soap Organic Miticide
              Natria 706230A Insecticidal Soap Organic Miticide
              Pros
              • Safe
              • No heavy chemical smell
              Cons
              • Not good to use indoors

              Are your roses seriously attacked by harmful insects? So, you are looking for a suitable solution that can give you a fast effect, right? In this case, choose the Natria 706230A Insecticidal Soap Organic Miticide.

              According to the manufacturer, their insecticide can kill many kinds of insects quickly no matter if the attackers are adults or larvae, especially if they can control nymph stages of pests effectively. Meanwhile, customers said that they can see the effect just after 2 applying sessions, even some of them said that this product can kill plant bugs instantly without affecting the healthy growth of their plants.

              Natria 706230A Insecticidal Soap Organic Miticide Specifications

              Form

              Spray

              Weight

              24 Ounces

              Volume

              24 Fluid Ounces

              Active Ingredients

              1% Potassium salts of fatty acids

              Highlight Features

              Fast acting

              Ready-to-use bottle

              Verdict

              After applying the Natria 706230A Insecticidal Soap Organic Miticide, it can almost stop the attacks of insects and bugs immediately.

              Best For Rose Slug Control: BioAdvanced 3-In-1 Insect, Disease and Mite Control

              BioAdvanced 3-In-1 Insect, Disease and Mite Control
              BioAdvanced 3-In-1 Insect, Disease and Mite Control
              Pros
              • Easy to use and apply
              • Effective
              • Good price
              Cons
              • Not safe on fruit trees and anything edible
              • Not long-lasting

              On the market, there are many insecticides that are listed for controlling rose slug, so why should you choose the BioAdvanced 3-In-1 Insect, Disease and Mite Control?

              The effect of this product is proven by customer experiences. A customer said that they applied this insecticide on her rose bushes that were infested with both rose slug and aphids. And now her roses are free of these insects.

              BioAdvanced 3-In-1 Insect, Disease and Mite Control Specifications

              Form

              Spray

              Weight

              1 Pounds

              Volume

              24 Fluid Ounces

              Active Ingredients

              0.012% Imidacloprid; 0.014% Tau-fluvalinate; 0.015% Tebuconazole

              Highlight Features

              3-in-1 formula

              Systemic rainproof protection

              Coverage area of 45 plants

              Verdict

              The BioAdvanced 3-In-1 Insect, Disease and Mite Control is good at controlling rose slug and aphids.

              Best For Thrips Control: Garden Safe 100046240 295881 80422 Houseplant and Garden Insect Killer

              Garden Safe 100046240 295881 80422 Houseplant and Garden Insect Killer
              Garden Safe 100046240 295881 80422 Houseplant and Garden Insect Killer
              Pros
              • Safe to use on Christmas Cactus and around pets
              • Not have an unpleasant smell
              Cons
              • Not for gnat problem

              Are your roses attacked by thrips? You see many insecticides are formulated for killing thrips on roses, but you are not sure about their effects, right? This is understandable because you haven’t used it once.

              If so, just choose the Garden Safe 100046240 295881 80422 Houseplant and Garden Insect Killer. Its effect of controlling thrips on roses is proven by customers. After applying this insecticide on their roses, they are free of thrips, even mites now.

              Garden Safe 100046240 295881 80422 Houseplant and Garden Insect Killer Specifications

              Form

              Spray

              Weight

              1 Pounds

              Volume

              20 Fluid Ounces

              Active Ingredients

              Pyrethrins And Canola Oil

              Highlight Features

              Use indoors and outdoors

              Ready to use

              Verdict

              The Garden Safe 100046240 295881 80422 Houseplant and Garden Insect Killer is effective enough to control thrips on roses.

              Best For Aphids Control: Bonide Mite-X Insecticide and Miticide

              Bonide Mite-X Insecticide and Miticide
              Bonide Mite-X Insecticide and Miticide
              Pros
              • Pleasant smell
              • Safe to your plants
              Cons
              • Expensive

              If you used an insecticide, advertised that it is effective for controlling aphids on roses, and the last outcome is useless, consider a product that is really tested by someone.

              For example, a customer applied the Bonide Mite-X Insecticide and Miticide on their roses and she was successful in removing not only aphids but also spider mites and others (too tiny to see.)

              Bonide Mite-X Insecticide and Miticide Specifications

              Form

              Spray

              Weight

              2.33 Pounds

              Volume

              32 Fluid Ounces

              Active Ingredients

              Botanical cottonseed, clove, and garlic extracts

              Highlight Features

              Indoor and outdoor use

              Ready to use

              Verdict

              The Bonide Mite-X Insecticide and Miticide can control aphids and other tiny things very well.

              Best For Japanese Beetles Control: Fertilome (11207) Tree & Shrub Drench

              Fertilome (11207) Tree & Shrub Drench
              Fertilome (11207) Tree & Shrub Drench
              Pros
              • Very effective
              • Easy to mix and use
              Cons
              • Expensive

              Although there are many insecticides for Japanese beetle control, not all of them work the same. Some can remove these insects more effectively than others. The Fertilome (11207) Tree & Shrub Drench is formulated for a serious problem.

              According to customers, this product can help them deal with a serious attack in which Japanese beetles have eaten their roses down to the stems. It only takes you about 2-3 days to see the effect, especially, you can use this insecticide as a preventative way.

              Fertilome (11207) Tree & Shrub Drench Specifications

              Form

              Liquid

              Weight

              8.6 Pounds

              Volume

              128.0 Fl Oz

              Active Ingredients

              Imidacloprid

              Highlight Features

              Outdoor residential use

              Systemic formula

              Verdict

              The Fertilome (11207) Tree & Shrub Drench can kill Japanese beetle control in a serious case.

              How To Choose The Best Insecticide For Roses?

              What Kind Of Infestation Are Your Roses Facing?

              Roses can be damaged by different insects or fungal diseases. It’s important to identify their problems exactly to choose a suitable solution because some certain insecticides work effectively for specific pests.

              Aphids

              If you choose a contact insecticide for controlling aphids, make sure that the following things are listed in its packaging:

              • Pyrethrin
              • Permethrin
              • Neem oil
              • Malathion
              • Lambda cyhalothrin
              • Horticultural oil
              • Cyfluthrin
              • Bifenthrin

              If you want to control aphids and have a long-lasting effect in the future, you can consider systemic insecticides such as dinotefuran and imidacloprid.

              Beetles

              You can choose a product containing a disease-causing bacterium (Paenibacillus popilliae) that will infect the grubs of Japanese beetles. Its effect can last up to 20-30 years.

              In case you are looking for an insecticide that can control beetles, make sure that the product label has the following ingredients: pyrethrin, permethrin, neem oil, lambda cyhalothrin, cyfluthrin, and bifenthrin. Like aphids, imidacloprid and dinotefuran can also prevent the infestations in the future.

              Mites

              Horticultural oils and insecticidal soaps are effective to control spider mites, especially they are nontoxic to humans, pets, and wildlife. However, they are toxic to beneficial predators. If you need a strong chemical control solution, consider products containing tau-fluvalinate or bifenthrin sprays.

              Note: don’t use broad-spectrum insecticides that will kill natural enemies while they are good at controlling spider mite.

              Thrips

              It’s very difficult to control thrips since roses bloom and expand quickly. Keeping them covered with insecticide is hard. If your roses are infested, remove or destroy them. This doesn’t mean that insecticides are useless to control thrips because the timing of spray is the key. You have to apply the insecticides before thrips enter unopened rose buds. If you want to buy an insecticide to control thrips, consider products with permethrin, lambda cyhalothrin, cyfluthrin, bifenthrin, spinosad, and acephate.

              Spinosad and acephate are foliar systemic insecticides, so they can penetrate closed flower buds to kill thrips inside. Meanwhile, insecticidal soap can also control thrips, but it requires thorough coverage on your roses. Finally, dinotefuran and imidacloprid can offer suppression of thrips.

              Rose Scale

              With this problem, it’s better to avoid using insecticides that will kill natural enemies of scale. In case using insecticides is a must, apply it in the crawler stage. Consider the insecticidal sprays below:

              • Permethrin
              • Malathion
              • Lambda cyhalothrin
              • Cyfluthrin
              • Bifenthrin
              • Acephate

              Rose Leafhopper

              Damsel bugs and assassin bugs are natural enemies of rose leafhoppers, so you shouldn’t use broad spectrum, contact insecticides which will kill these beneficial predators. The insecticidal sprays that can fight against rose leafhoppers include:

              • Permethrin
              • Malathion
              • Lambda cyhalothrin
              • Cyfluthrin
              • Bifenthrin
              • Acephate

              Rose Slugs

              To control rose slugs, you can consider horticultural oil or insecticidal soap. If you choose insecticidal sprays, check the label if they have spinosad, permethrin, lambda cyhalothrin, cyfluthrin, bifenthrin, acephate or not.

              Caterpillars

              Here are some ingredients that can control caterpillars:

              • Spinosad
              • Pyrethrin
              • Permethrin
              • Neem oil
              • Malathion
              • Lambda cyhalothrin
              • Cyfluthrin
              • Bifenthrin
              • Acephate
              • Bacillus thuringiensis

              Grasshoppers

              You can control grasshoppers by applying a product, containing the following ingredients:

              • Pyrethrin
              • Permethrin
              • Malathion
              • Lambda cyhalothrin
              • Cyfluthrin
              • Bifenthrin
              • Acephate

              Do You Want To Choose An Organic Or Chemical Insecticide?

              If your family has kids and pets, you will want safer choices like organic insecticides. However, these kinds can be washed off by rain and water. Remember to read the instructions on the label to make sure that the product is safe for your roses since some insecticides are not applicable for indoor roses and aquatic animals. Their chemical ingredients are too toxic, which will contaminate your indoor fixtures. Meanwhile, others are not safe for plants near lakes, fishponds, pools, and water drains.

              In case you want to reach the highest effect, keeping your roses from bugs for weeks even months, consider chemical versions.

              Which Brands Make The Best Insecticide For Roses?

              Bonide

              Since 1926, Bonide has been famous for high-quality products in the home, lawn, and garden pest categories. They produce insecticide, weed killer, fungicide and other products to protect your garden plants and lawn.

              FAQs

              Will coffee grounds keep bugs away from roses?

              Coffee grounds can create a barrier to keep insects and pests such as snails and slugs from your roses without affecting their healthy growth.

              Can you wash pesticides off roses?

              The answer depends on what kind of pesticide was used on roses. Like food crops, if the pesticides on roses are also water soluble and degrade into something harmless within 7 days after applying, you can wash pesticides off roses.

              In case you are not sure about this information of bought-store roses, you can grow roses yourself to control the pesticides you use on them. If you want to buy roses in a store, choose rose petals certified food safe.

              How often should I spray insecticide on roses?

              For preventative purposes, spray insecticide on roses every 2 weeks.

              When should I spray insecticide on my rose bushes?

              Different diseases and pests appear at different times of year, so the treatment time is also different:

              If you want to remove black spot, beetles, bollworm, and red spider mite from your roses, spray insecticide in January.

              Or February is also an ideal time to apply insecticide for getting rid of back spot, beetles, and bollworm.

              It’s okay to wait until March and April to spray insecticide on roses for removing black spot, beetles, and bollworm.

              Spraying insecticide on roses in May and June can remove black spots mainly.

              In July and August, remember to apply insecticide on spray bare stems after pruning to kill fungus spores, and insect eggs.

              September is a wonderful time to remove powdery mildew, bollworm, thrips, and aphids by spraying insecticide on roses.

              In October, you can apply insecticide on roses to kill powdery mildew, beetles, and bollworms.

              Applying insecticide on roses in the last months of the year can kill aphids, powdery mildew, beetles, bollworm, back spot, and spider mite.

              How long does it take for systemic insecticide to work on roses?

              Systemic insecticide takes from a few days to a few weeks to work on roses.

              Conclusion

              Many people don’t want to buy insecticides even when their roses are attacked because they contain chemical ingredients. If you are worrying about this problem, you can consider organic products. Even a chemical insecticide isn’t dangerous, if you exactly follow the directions on the label. Now, you can set your mind at rest to buy the best insecticide for roses.

              I’m Harry Ramos, who's crazy about all things green. I’m here to share some experience in my gardening adventure and how to choose the best products for your garden. Let's dig in, get our hands dirty, and celebrate the simple, earthy pleasures of the garden together!


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