Question
Last year I sprayed Orothene, killed some of the pests but also killed many bees.

What alternatives do I have this year vs. planting something else for the So. California near ocean average humidity is 70

Thanks

Answer
Yes, I'm afraid most of the sprays we use on roses have an effect on the bee population. This information was released a year ago as they were blaming mites and other problem for the demise of bees but found the sprays had the greatest effect. It does depend on what pests you are trying to get rid of. Cutter bees which make a neat semi circle cuts on a leaf make the rose leaves unsightly, but if you can put up with it then that is the best way to go. If you can wait until you see the pests and then only spray when the sun is going down and the bees are not around, that solves the problem in a better way. You can also smother the slug like insects with horticultural oil. Aphids can't get back up on the rose bush if sprayed off with a strong stream of water from a hose. Birds love them and eat them up like candy. There really is nothing left on the shelf for gardeners to  get rid of insects in a permanent way. Of course there are organic solutions but if the infestation is bad, they leave enough to do a lot of damage. Thrips are the worst and nothing will get rid of them as you need a systemic type of poison so when that are eating the rose petals they are poisoned. Rose midges are in that class also. Japanese beetle are of course the king of the insects and short of covering the rose bush when they are around, nothing will deter them no matter what you use. You can get up early when they are dozy, and hand pick them off before you go to work. Studies have also told us that using chemicals on certain bugs, appears to make them into super bugs. It seems that gardeners can't win.