When NOT to Spray for Rose Aphid

Aphid control (this is plural. If you only have one it is an aphis) is one of the most common problems with rose growing. Lady bugs are the best known biological control for aphid. A common natural method is the Encarsia Wasp. Looking at the picture below you will see the bloated black aphis (singular). This has a number of wasps growing inside the body. When they hatch and emerge they go on to attack other aphis.

Over a few years you can develop a population that eliminates rose aphid in just a couple of weeks. It is true that you do get some damage but you can go years with no insect spraying. Obviously we don't do this at the nursery, but at home I just wash the aphids off with water, and rely on Encarsia Wasps and Lady Bug catch the straggler.

I haven't sprayed my roses in over 10 years at three houses. Note that I am talking about rose aphid not ALL aphid. The encarsia wasp does a number on the rose aphid not all aphid.