“Epoch Times, July 27, 2025” (Reporter Chen Juncun)
Aphids are attracted to plants like roses, sucking sap from their stems, causing discoloration, leaf curling, and even poor development of the plants. They also secrete sticky honeydew onto plant surfaces, attracting ants and promoting the growth of fungi, making them one of the most destructive pests in gardens. In response to this, some netizens have shared a method using a homemade solution to get rid of these pests.
On the Facebook fan page of the UK rose breeding company “David Austin Roses,” a user named Dana Annso Dobrescu posted, asking for advice on dealing with aphid infestation as all her roses were under attack. She mentioned using commercial insecticides but to no avail.
Accompanying her post was a photo of the roses she planted, surrounded by aphids. These pests often appear on the underside of leaves, so regular inspection of this area is crucial.
Click here to view the post.
In response to Dobrescu’s query, hundreds of users commented with many suggesting she use homemade insect spray.
Linda Moran suggested, “Spray a solution mixed of dish soap and water.” Lady-Julie Gifford also recommended diluting dish soap with water.
Kajsa Li Paludan shared that she mixed neutral dish soap and water, placed it in a spray bottle, and regularly sprayed it on the roses. She advised spraying in the morning and evening and avoiding daytime spraying to prevent leaf burn.
Jill Heiman suggested, “You can leave them for ladybugs to eat, but if you can’t stand it, mix dish soap and water, then spray on the roses so the aphids will slip off.”
Diluted dish soap disrupts the habitat of aphids, so it should be used every few days, especially after rain. However, excessive use of dish soap can harm plants, so it should be used in moderation.
Furthermore, attracting ladybugs to the garden to eat aphids is also an effective method of pest control.
David Austin Roses stated that in most cases, it’s best to leave aphids alone. They serve as an important food source for ladybugs, hoverflies, and other beneficial insects, playing a vital role in the garden ecosystem.
If their numbers increase, simply spraying water forcefully can reduce their population. Alternatively, gently wiping them off or planting companion plants such as coriander, fennel, or marigolds can attract their natural predators.
The company advised against using pesticides, even organic ones, as they can disrupt the natural balance of the garden and potentially do more harm than good.
Click here to view the post.
As for how to attract ladybugs to the garden, Nick Wood, a gardening expert from Gardening Express, suggested, “Inviting them to your garden will help reduce the use of chemicals, protect your plants, and support the survival of local wildlife.”
He mentioned that creating a ladybug-friendly garden doesn’t mean letting it become chaotic. Making small changes, such as planting suitable flowers or leaving a pile of logs, can have a significant impact.
In addition to the aforementioned coriander, fennel, or marigolds, you can also plant herbs like dill and anise, as well as flowers like shasta daisies, all of which help attract ladybugs for feeding. (For more details, click here: Introducing Ladybugs to Your Garden in the Summer Can Help Solve Major Problems.)