Non Toxic – Neem Garden Pest Control
Widely used for many years Neem oil is the extract from Neem trees and is used widely as an organic method of controlling insect pests. Neem Garden Pest Control works in a number of ways Neem garden sprays have proved to be effective by disrupting breeding as well as acting as a repellent. A number of other pruducts including pellets and Neem Cake are also widely used in gardens around the world.
The Neem tree itself is Azadirachta indica, from India where the leaves , bark and roots have been used for centuries for a range of medicinal and antiseptic purposes.
In the garden by products are used not only for pest control but also as a soil improver or amendment. Neem Products include Pellets, Cake, Sprays and Oil Concentrate
Neem oil in the garden is used as a pesticide, it is almost non-toxic, although insects avoid it due to its bitter taste. Bees and pollinators do not eat the plant so they are largely unaffected .
Neem Oil as an Insecticide.
As a garden spray Neem Oil is used as a foliar spray. And it is regarded as one one of the safest, non-toxic pesticides available.
One of the big advantages of Neem Oil as a garden spray is that it works. It is through its bitter taste, and the way that it works as a systemic insecticide that make it so effective. So Neem oil works on sap sucking and chewing insects.
Best sprayed on new foliage as it emerges it is essential to follow the manufactures instructions that deal with application rates and time of spraying.
For first time users we suggest a trial spray on part of the plant to determine if any damage will occur. Leave the trial application for 7 days before deciding to continue on a particular plant.
How to use Neem Oil
It is important to apply Neem Oil in the right weather conditions.
- It should not be applied on hot sunny days as this can cause leaf burn.
It should not be applied on very cold or rainy days as the application will be ineffective.
You can repeat application every 7 – 14 days depending on the need and the insect problem.
We suggest applying in the cool of the evening during spring to summer, bees and butterflies along with other pollinators will not be present at this time.
Which Graden pests are controlled by Neem Oil
In Australia, some of the main insects where neem oil or spray is effective include,
- Aphids.
- Mealybugs.
- Whiteflies.
- Stinkbugs.
- Thrips.
- Spider mites.
- Nematodes.
In fact it works well on large range of what we term ‘soft bodied insects’ interestingly said to include locusts.
Also used as a soil conditioner it works not only as a fertilisers but also as an insecticide, especially useful on lawns as well as for controlling nematodes.
Resources
- Organic insect control
- A more extensive explanation of Australian research is at www.newcrops.uq.edu.au