Using Neem Insecticide – Seven Things To Know Before Spraying Neem

The neem tree (Azadirachta indica) is an incredibly versatile plant with many uses. In India it is known as “the village pharmacy” (more than 75% of Ayurvedic remedies contain some form of neem!) and lately it has also been called “the most researched tree in the world”.

But despite the fact that neem has been used traditionally for several thousand years, it is still relatively unknown in the Western world.

In addition to the seemingly all-powerful neem oil, pressed or extracted from the seeds, there is a whole range of other neem products: neem capsules, neem soap, neem tea, neem bark powder…

Most people have only heard of neem oil and don’t know much about it.

For neem to live up to its reputation, you need to use the right neem product in the right way, at the right time for the right purpose!

In this article, I’ll take a look at the oil’s most common use: as an insect repellent in the garden.

Neem oil is an absolutely wonderful alternative to chemical insecticides because it is non-toxic to humans. If used correctly, it works like a charm and only affects the bad bugs and leaves the good bugs untouched.

The key words in the previous sentence are “if used correctly.” Here are seven things to understand about neem oil before using it in the garden.

  1. Neem oil is NOT an instant kill insecticide.

    Neem does not kill insects or larvae instantly! It acts as a feeding repellent and also interrupts their reproductive cycle. Neem is similar to insect hormones. When insects absorb neem ingredients, they “forget” to eat, mate, or stop laying eggs. Some forget that they can fly. If eggs are produced, they either do not hatch or the larvae do not molt. Don’t conclude that neem doesn’t work just because it doesn’t kill everything instantly. Neem oil should be used regularly. Spray it once a week or once a fortnight and it WILL PROTECT your yard from sucking and chewing insects.

  2. Neem CAN kill honey bees.

    Neem is not toxic to honey bees or other beneficial insects, but it can certainly kill them! Any oil you spray can coat the bugs and suffocate them. In that sense, neem oil doesn’t make any difference between good and bad critters: coat them in oil and they’ll suffocate. To protect beneficial insects, only spray neem very early in the morning or in the late afternoon, when the insects are least active. Once the oil has dried, it only harms the bad bugs.

  3. Neem CAN harm your plants.

    If a little helps, then more will help better. Right? Wrong! Any oil spray can burn the plants. If you spray during the day it burns better. Again, spray the neem in the early morning or late afternoon, so it dries up before the sun hits it. Some plants are so sensitive that they don’t need the sun to suffer. Having its delicate leaves covered in too much oil is bad enough. Follow the instructions! Use the lowest concentration and do a small test application first. Neem oil is somewhat strong. A little goes a long way.

  4. Neem MAY harm aquatic organisms.

    This aspect is rarely mentioned. Research studies have shown that neem ingredients can harm many aquatic organisms, including fish and tadpoles. Fortunately, it takes more than traces to do damage. It is generally safe to spray near ponds, but do not spray neem directly into the water.

  5. Neem oil is NOT registered as an insecticide.

    In most countries, neem oil is not registered as an insecticide or insect repellent. Therefore, sellers cannot call it that or mention that it kills or deters insects. If you try to buy neem at the local hardware store, don’t look in the aisle with the poisons. Rather look for leaf polish… Seriously, that’s how a manufacturer sells it. The easiest way to find it? Ask about it. But beware…

  6. All neem oils are NOT created equal.

    Many people hear about neem oil, go to the hardware store or garden center, and buy a “neem plant spray” or “neem-based insecticide” or other ready-to-use mix from who knows what. Some of those bottles contain nasty chemicals with a little token neem. Few contain crude neem oil, the most potent neem oil, but rather a clarified hydrophobic extract. Those extracts are not as powerful as crude or raw neem oil. The best neem oil to buy is crude, cold-pressed, organic oil that is high in azadirachtin. Azadirachtin is the main insecticidal ingredient and most of the sellers of good neem oil advertise the high content of Azadirachtin. By the way, you are unlikely to find the crude oil at your local hardware store. Try health food stores instead!

  7. Neem oil SUCKS!

    Smell descriptions vary. Rancid peanut butter, rancid garlic, rancid burnt onions… do you detect a theme here? How about garlic peanut butter and some rotten eggs?

I would say, just get a few and create your own description. And get used to it. Because things really work!

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