Aphids like Roses. Above is a photo of one of my rose bushes in the front yard. As you can see, aphids have found a home there.
What’s that red thing crawling toward them?
It’s a Western Blood-red Ladybird Beetle, otherwise known as a type of ladybug. This one is native to our area and it looks like it is eating an aphid in this photo. I see more of these beetles than any other type of ladybug in my yard.
You go, Ladybird!
Awesome! We don’t have many aphids this year. I’m wondering if the ladybugs did such a good job in past years that we just don’t have many this year? One year we had a ton of aphids (and ladybugs). It was amazing how the ladybugs “conquered” the aphids. lol Here’s a post back from 2009 that you might like.
http://pnwnature.blogspot.com/2009/06/natural-aphid-control-or-cheering-those.html
If those critters get overwhelming and the Ladybugs can’t keep up, try a mixture of water and nettles.
Get an old bucket with a lid, fill with water, collect some green burning nettles, put in water, cover up, stir once a day. After a few days you have a stinking mixture. Filter the nettles out and use the water on your plants (spray it is best).