Pest identification
What's eating my ballerina rose?
Aphids
Signs: Colonies on flower stems and new growth; honeydew and distorted blossoms; clusters most visible on buds.
Control: Spray off with water; insecticidal soap or neem oil; natural predators (lacewings, ladybugs) very effective.
Thrips
Signs: Petals marked with silver flecks or brown streaks; flowers fail to open normally; tiny insects inside blooms.
Control: Remove and dispose of infested flowers; spinosad spray on buds; sticky blue traps to gauge pressure.
Spider Mites
Signs: Fine stippling across leaf surface; bronzed foliage; fine webbing on undersides during summer heat.
Control: Increase watering and overhead misting; spray leaf undersides with water; neem oil or miticide if severe.
Keep ballerina rose pest-free
Healthy plants resist pests best. Get the basics right:
Ballerina Rose pests — FAQ
What is eating my ballerina rose?
Ballerina Rose produces masses of small single flowers that are highly attractive to aphids and thrips. Japanese beetles damage the prolific blooms in summer. Spider mites can affect foliage in hot, dry conditions. The dense shrubby habit can harbor rose sawfly larvae. Aphids massing on the flower clusters are the most frequent nuisance.
How do I get rid of aphids on ballerina rose?
Colonies on flower stems and new growth; honeydew and distorted blossoms; clusters most visible on buds. Spray off with water; insecticidal soap or neem oil; natural predators (lacewings, ladybugs) very effective.
How do I get rid of thrips on ballerina rose?
Petals marked with silver flecks or brown streaks; flowers fail to open normally; tiny insects inside blooms. Remove and dispose of infested flowers; spinosad spray on buds; sticky blue traps to gauge pressure.
How do I get rid of spider mites on ballerina rose?
Fine stippling across leaf surface; bronzed foliage; fine webbing on undersides during summer heat. Increase watering and overhead misting; spray leaf undersides with water; neem oil or miticide if severe.