After doing much research with pictures, etc., I have come to the conclusion that the damage to my container roses are due to the bristly rose slug. I have not been able to "catch them in the act", but the damage looks the same. Is there an organic solution to this, because it was stated that the Bt did no good for this creature. Surely, there is something that I can use. Would a soap spray help any? This is also happening to my Carefree roses planted in the rose bed. Thanks in advance - Barb
Some say crushed eggshells or hair trimmings will irritate the slugs and they will get dehydrated trying to excrete enough slime to rid themselves of it. You put these things around the base of the plant. Another idea is to put small cups of beer in the garden to attract them and they drown in it. You empty the cups each morning. Or you can put a board or something flat down on the soil and they will hide under it during the day. You pick it up and remove them. Some have said a copper band around the plant will give slugs an electric shock when they cross it. (I don't know about this one.) It's important to not let your mulch go right up to the plant. They will hide in it and attack when you aren't looking.
On the rare occassion I have had the Bristly Rose Slug, a sawfly larva, they have been right there on the leaf highly visible and squishable. I have had good success controlling them on both my roses and hardy hibiscus using insecticdal soap. If you are not seeing the small, green fat headed larva on the plant leaves it most likely is not the Bristly Rose Slug.
Kimmsr - I have not gone out at night to look and thought perhaps that is why. I did a search and found pictures on Baldo's bug thing and the damage that has been done looks just like the picture. If not the sawfly, just what could it be? Thanks all - Barb
Already posted this on the Roses forum, but wanted to confide that I did find the little green worms today in two of my flower beds. Didn't get everything sprayed with Bt because the darned sprayer wouldn't work, but will get after it tomorrow, I hope. This always happens when I am working against time. Thanks all - Barb
