Use and application of Neem Oil

Azadirachta indica - the Neem Tree

Neem Oil uses and Effects

Neem oil is not a pesticide in the traditional sense as its active ingredients are derived naturally, the product is effective in two ways.

• It is a horticultural oil and when applied to small plant pests (scale, aphids, red spider etc.) will cover the pest and smother it, this does not work very well on larger insects and has no effect on the eggs of the insect either.

• Azadirachtin, one of the active compounds in Neem oil works as a reproduction inhibitor/ disruptor preventing the insects from fully completing their lifecycle and producing more eggs, this then results in lower populations over time, it is not an instantaneous effect.

For this reason, Neem oil should always be considered as a preventative treatment which will lower the impact of insect infestations on your plant. Imagine this as taking Vitamin C or Zinc tablets regularly to prevent getting flu, but if you do catch flu, taking Vitamin C at that point will have very little effect.

Mixing and applying Neem Oil

There are plenty of brands of Neem oil around, they are all basically the same, just different producers and branding, but they all do the same thing. Different people will recommend different applications based on what have achieved the best results for them. Normally the application rate is about 5ml of Neem oil in 1 liter of water, add a few drops of liquid detergent as well - so when you mix it all together you get a few soap bubbles on the surface, but not a huge froth. This should be mixed in a bucket or container before adding it to your spray can so that it mixes properly. Never spray this product over midday, always early morning or late afternoon.

As a preventative spray Neem Oil should be applied consistently every 2 to 3 weeks, less in mid-summer and more frequent in winter.

Neem Oil

Neem Oil is extracted from the seed pods of the Neem tree/ Indian Lilac (Azadirachta indica), the by-product “Neem Cake” is also sometimes sold in a composted version as an organic fertilizer (with slight insecticidal properties).