Aphids and Thrips

[Symphony]

Aphids and thrips have been on my rose recently. Is there anything natural I can do?

 

[digitS']

I find aphids fairly easy to kill with insecticidal soap. I trust this product more than dish soap but that has worked for aphids, also. With dish soap especially, it is probably very important to return to rinse the plant. I have not always rinsed insecticidal soap off. Soap can be used when there is no strong sunlight to further reduce the chance of burning the plant's foliage and blossoms.

I am concerned about thrips in flowers but since this isn't a food crop, I'm willing to spray them with a synthetic insecticide. However, I've recently learned that Spinosad is effective on thrips. Spinosad is a biological pest control.

Steve

 

[Symphony]

I find aphids fairly easy to kill with insecticidal soap. I trust this product more than dish soap but that has worked for aphids, also. With dish soap especially, it is probably very important to return to rinse the plant. I have not always rinsed insecticidal soap off. Soap can be used when there is no strong sunlight to further reduce the chance of burning the plant's foliage and blossoms.

I am concerned about thrips in flowers but since this isn't a food crop, I'm willing to spray them with a synthetic insecticide. However, I've recently learned that Spinosad is effective on thrips. Spinosad is a biological pest control.

Steve

Ok, also, I need something thats safe for animals, because my chickens free-range. Thankfully the chickens eat most of the aphids.

 

[digitS']

Symphony, I can't say that these insecticides are completely safe for pets & livestock. Obviously, they aren't safe for all animals. Insects are animals.

Spinosad is the insecticide in Comfortis flea tablets that are given to dogs - to eat.

Soap is soap, I suppose. Insecticidal soap, at least, wasn't formulated to "cut grease" in a frying pan but it is made to kill aphids.

Steve