My Poor Mini Roses! (PIX)

[rebbetzin]

This morning when I went out to the front yard, I found my new mini rose bushes at the base of the birdbath

had all been completely stripped of their leaves!

Here is a close up of the damage.

I figured it was the Dreaded Leaf Cutter Ants that have been a problem in the front yard on and off for years now. And sure enough I found their "nest"!! With all my nice rose leaves there on the surface of the hill.

I now have to figure out how to get rid of them. I have tried many different Ant type killers, but it appears they are immune!

 

[lesa]

Good grief!! They didn't leave you one leaf!! They don't respond to the usual ant killers? I had good luck with the little tin bait ones. They take the poison back to the queen... Good luck!!

 

[thistlebloom]

Wow, your poor roses! Doesn't that just chap your hide when insects or animals target your favorite plants? It's almost like they know.
Have you tried pouring boiling water on their nest? Amdro ant bait works pretty good, and DE may help....
Fortunately roses are pretty tough, and mini roses in my experience are especially so. They will grow new leaves... in the meantime I hope you can seriously discourage the ants.

 

[Stubbornhillfarm]

Oh my goodness! How discouraging. It would be all out war! I hope that you can get rid of the little pests and nurse your roses back to health.

 

[scottaleger]

Amazing , this is artificial or real ?

 

[rebbetzin]

Amazing , this is artificial or real ?

Oh they are quite real alright! And still look pretty bad. I thought the ants were gone, but this morning, there was some "sluggish" movement at the ant hill!! So the war is back on!

 

[cityfarmer]

How sad!