How to deal with rose sawflies?

Discussion in 'Roses' started by Black Orchid, Aug 12, 2020.

  1. Black Orchid

    Black Orchid Gardener

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    Hello, sawflies started damaging my roses about 3 years ago. I use garlic + soap spray on my roses but it does not help much. Each day I collect several sawflies from my roses and if I see damaged stems I immediately cut them off. I would appreciate it very much if you could advise me how to deal with sawflies (but I prefer not to use chemicals).
     
  2. The Buddleja Garden

    The Buddleja Garden Gardener

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    Garlic and chilli spray!

    Insecticides are not very effective on sawfly, because they are related to bees and amateur insecticides are supposedly "bee-friendly" (not very friendly, but enough to stop them being effective on sawfly).

    Boil three crushed garlic cloves and a tablespoon of chilli flakes in a half litre of water with a tiny drop of washing-up liquid. Cool, filter and use as a spray. It's both a deterrent and an irritant – the little grubs will drop off to get away from the chilli.

    Don't breathe it in. Quite harmless, but it will make you cough.
     
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    • Black Orchid

      Black Orchid Gardener

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      Thank you. I will try to use your advice.
       
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