After all of the effort you put into planting and pruning a rose bush, a colony of aphids can come along and wipe out your hard work. Aphids are tiny in size but wreak major havoc on rush bushes if left uncontrolled. Gardeners have a number of options available to protect their prize roses and safely send the aphids away.
Wash aphids away with a stream of water from the garden hose. Wear gloves and physically remove them if there is a small population. Use an insecticidal soap to remove aphids. Reapply the soap at least every other day until the infestation is reduced.
Treat aphids with chemical sprays such as Orthene, Malathion or Rotenone, which are readily available at garden centers. Rotate treatment from insecticidal soap to a spray to prevent the aphids from resisting one form of treatment and re-colonizing the plant.
Apply a homemade rhubarb spray. Chop five or six rhubarb leaves and add them to 1 qt. of water. Boil for 30 minutes. Add one squirt of dishwashing liquid to the mixture. Strain the mixture through a sieve, then allow it to cool. Pour it into a spray bottle. Spray generously onto infected leaves or canes.
Drape banana peels over infested rose bushes and watch the aphids magically go away. Remove the banana peel after 1 or 2 days.