While rose midges may be tiny, they cast quite a large shadow over your garden with the damage that they cause.
When left to their own devices, these small insects have the power to strip your rose garden of its beauty.
In this article, we’ll be taking a closer look at rose midges. We’ll discuss where they come from, what to look for, and how to stop them in their tracks.
How Do Rose Midges Look Like
Rose midge larvae measure between 0.012 to 0.071 inches/0.3 to 1.8 millimeters long.
They have a white or pinkish hue and a tiny mouth at the end of their body. It takes around 5 to 10 days for the larvae to mature into their pupal form.
From their pupae stage, it takes 5 to 7 days to emerge from their cocoon to an adult.
Adult rose midges are minuscule, mosquito-like flies.
The adults measure between 0.0394 inches and 0.0492 inches/1.0 and 1.25 millimeters long.
Their bodies are a yellowish color with long, spindly legs and short antennae. These adults live very brief lives, only surviving for 1 to 2 days.
Rose Midge Damage
Rose midges can inflict severe damage to a rose plant. This damage can often be misdiagnosed as a disease.
Here are some ways that rose midges can damage rose plants.
The larvae conceal themselves within the crevices of emerging leaf shoots and within rose buds. This feeding frenzy disrupts the development of new shoots, resulting in them growing in distorted and curled.
As the feeding escalates, ultimately this leads to the stunting of rose buds.
Rose Midges Signs
Rose midges are extremely small insects. Combined with the fact that they hide in the small crevices of leaf shoots and flower buds, it is nearly impossible to catch them in the act.
The only sign of rose midges is when they have already inflicted damage on the rose plant.
Keep an eye out for these signs of midge damage:
- Curling of new shoots
- Deformed or stunted rose buds
- Both rose buds and shoots become brown, shriveled, and fall off the bush
- Growth becomes overall less vigorous
How To Get Rid Of Rose Midges
Controlling and exterminating rose midges requires an approach that combines multiple strategies to target the various stages of their life cycle.
Here are some tips on how to eliminate these small insects from your garden:
1. Sprays That Kill Rose Midges
Effective chemicals that play a large role in killing rose midges use the active ingredients Imidacloprid, cyfluthrin, and Cyonara 97.
Imidacloprid and cyfluthrin are sold as a product commonly known as “Merit”. This product can be sold as a granular substance or as a spray.
Cyonara 97 is a liquid spray suitable for use on both foliage and soil.
Before using any type of chemical spray, it is of the utmost importance to carefully read the labels and warnings detailed on the packaging.
Additionally, we suggest refraining from using chemicals near any location where food cultivation takes place.
2. Organic Rose Midge Control
- Use organic substances
Examples of organic substances that you can use to control a rose midge infestation include neem oil and diatomaceous earth.
Neem oil is a powerful natural insecticide that many gardeners use to avoid a chemical solution to their rose pests problems.
Neem oil can be sold pre-made as an insecticidal spray, or you can purchase the pure oil online.
If you purchase pure neem oil, then you need to dilute it in water.
Diatomaceous earth is a naturally occurring substance made from a sedimentary rock containing the fossils of aquatic microorganisms.
Diatomaceous earth can be mixed into the soil to deter midge larvae from retreating into the soil for pupation.
- Prune your roses at the first sign of damage
Other cultural control methods for rose midges include pruning the rose bushes at the first sign of damage.
When you notice the symptoms of rose midge damage, remove the infested branch and destroy the cuttings either by burning them or placing them in the garbage.
How To Prevent Rose Midges Infestation
Preventing future rose midge infestations requires a combination of proactive measures aimed at reducing the conditions that they prefer.
Here are some steps you can take to prevent rose midges in your garden:
- Frequent Inspection
Regularly inspect your rose plants to check for any signs of infestation or damage sustained by these small insects.
- Regular Pruning and Maintenance
Prune your rose bushes regularly to remove any infested buds, shoots, or plant parts. Dispose of these pruned materials away from the garden to prevent the spread of midge larvae.
Additionally, keep your garden tidy by removing fallen leaves and debris regularly. This will reduce hiding places for overwintering midge larvae. - Apply Insecticide as a Preventative
Whether you use a natural insecticide (such as neem oil), or a chemical spray, occasional insecticide when you don’t have an active infestation can be an effective method of preventing future pests.
Just make sure that you’re using the products as they are directed on the packaging.
Conclusion
Through a combination of cultural and chemical practices, rose midges can be a thing of the past.
Don’t let these tiny terrors ruin your perfect rose garden.
Getting rid of rose midges requires a few steps, but staying knowledgeable and proactive is essential to stopping any infestation.
Related Posts:
- Thrips On Roses: How To Save Your Blooms
- Rose Chafer – Threat & Prevention
- Rose Slugs: How To Identify & Eradicate Them
- Aphids On Roses
- Spider Mites On Roses
Save It For Later!
