Are you one those people who think that how to get rid of rose slugs isn’t that important? Well, think again! These slugs are much more than pests; they can also cause serious damage to your rose bushes. Commonly referred to as simply rose slugs, these small caterpillar-like pests are actually the larvae of a tiny wasp (a light, non-stinging wasp). They usually appear in late summer or early fall, and are able to survive in almost any soil type, even alkaline ones.
Their name refers to their structure, which is rather simple: They have five to eight leaves, which are adhered to the underside of each plate. When the leaf comes out, it grows like a stem. The entire process takes just two weeks to complete, which explains why most gardeners notice them so quickly. Rose plants affected by rose slugs may lose their leaves and produce new leaves, which can be disfigured if left so long.
The first step in how to get rid of rose slugs is to identify them. They usually have a white head containing a single red spider web. Although it’s difficult to spot these parasites from afar, one method uses a magnifying glass. The next step is to carefully pull the white, silk-lined head off of each leaf. If you don’t have a magnifying glass handy, use a small pair of garden shears to cut away the white line.
In cases where it is impossible to extract any live material from the leaf, squeeze the sap between the leaf and the stalk. A powerful insecticide is then necessary to kill the rest of the colony. How to get rid of rose slugs carrying the eggs of another plant is not so difficult as you would think.
One way that they can be gotten rid of is by removing all of the leaves on the plant. Most of these parasitic rose plants have ten to twenty leaves. They can also survive on the roots of other plants. Once the last of the leaves is dead and the old leaves have been removed, thoroughly wash the soil beneath the plant with a strong cleanser. It is also possible to make a paste out of equal parts vinegar and water that can be applied to the infected leaves. This will eliminate most of the living larvae, although some of the adults may still remain.
How to get rid of rose slugs also depends on how big the plant is. For example, if it is a small shrub or plant, it is unlikely that these pests would be able to penetrate it. However, larger plants or trees are harder for them to penetrate. Therefore, they do make an entry through pruned rose leaves or even damaged bark.
The best way to get rid of rose slugs would be to contact a pest control company. They will be able to perform a thorough inspection of your premises and identify every area in which there is a possibility of an infestation. They will then be able to come up with an effective treatment. This treatment might involve the use of chemicals, traps, or both – depending on the extent of the infestation.
If the infestation is particularly severe, there are things you can do to help destroy the remaining larvae. Firstly, it is important that you remove all leaves and stems from the plants. If you are able to do this, the slugs will not be able to feed and grow their larvae. Secondly, after destroying all the leaves, it is also important to cut the roots as well. The removal of the roots will prevent the growth of more rose slugs.
