Neem Oil

Neem oil comes from the tree Azadirachta indica, a South Asian and Indian plant common as an ornamental shade tree. Neem oil can be extracted from most parts of the tree, but the seeds hold the highest concentration of the insecticidal compound. The effective compound is Azadirachin and it is found in highest amounts in the seeds. There are numerous neem oil uses, but gardeners praise it for its anti-fungal and pesticide properties.

It is a useful repellant for mites and used to manage over 200 other species of chewing or sucking insects , including:

• scale
• whiteflies
• aphids

Neem oil can be used as a fungicide as well to combat fungus, rust and molds.

We use neem oil as a foliar spray applied early in the morning or late in afternoon. The oil can burn some foliage on trees so it’s best to apply a little as a test and see the result. Our experience shows the Neem Oil to assist against Snow Scale on citrus and other fruit trees. The Neem oil is mixed with water and sprayed to the trunk, branches and foliage. Normally we saw result after weekly applications for 4 weeks and then every 15 days as a control prevention. You can also use the neem oil in combination with micro organisms and foliar fertlizers as they help protect micro organism and act as a adherent to leaves.

Neem oil insecticide works as a systemic in many plants when applied as a soil drench. Once the product is in the plant’s vascular system, insects intake it during feeding. The compound causes insects to reduce or cease feeding, can prevent larvae from maturing, reduces or interrupts mating behavior and, in some cases, the oil coats the breathing holes of insects and kills them. Neem can come in the form of dried cakes and mixed into soil mediums where they prevent and assist against nematode problems.

There is also some reported uses of neem oil used as an anti pesticide property in dogs and cats. Again anyone who would like to try the neem oil should consult a Veterinary professional and discuss that use.

There has been concern about the use of neem oil and bees. Most studies specify that if neem oil is used inappropriately, and in massive quantities, it can cause harm to small hives, but has no effect on medium to large hives. Additionally, since neem oil insecticide does not target bugs that do not chew on leaves, most beneficial insects, like butterflies and ladybugs, are considered safe.