“ What ’ s great ABOUT USING NEEM OIL AS A PESTICIDE IS THAT WHILE IT KILLS
THE PESTS THAT DEVOUR OUR GARDEN , IT DOESN ’ T HARM BENEFICIAL INSECTS .”
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“ What ’ s great ABOUT USING NEEM OIL AS A PESTICIDE IS THAT WHILE IT KILLS
THE PESTS THAT DEVOUR OUR GARDEN , IT DOESN ’ T HARM BENEFICIAL INSECTS .”
Cold-pressed neem oil is the best of both worlds . It is pressed from the seeds and not refined any further to separate the clarified hydrophobic extract of neem oil from the azadirachtin . Cold-pressed neem oil is the most natural and complete form of neem oil , and arguably the best form to use on your plants . It has been shown to do little , if any , damage to pollinators , and it is unlikely insects will form a resistance to it due to the complexity and variety of compounds working together in the oil .
THE BENEFITS
What ’ s great about using neem oil as a pesticide is that while it kills the pests that devour our garden , it doesn ’ t harm beneficial insects . It also encourages earthworm populations . Earthworms are extremely important to the garden , so this is a huge benefit . Earthworms tunnel through the soil , allowing oxygen to reach the roots . They also shed their castings , which are full of nutrients that enrich the soil . And when earthworms die , they feed the soil as they decompose . Another perk of neem oil is that , unlike synthetic pesticides , you can use it up until the day of harvest . Neem oil does not harm humans or other mammals . Since it is non-toxic to us and our pets , it is the perfect treatment for houseplants . It is also useful in greenhouses , which are ideal environments for pests to thrive in if left untreated . Neem oil is also excellent for treating your garden once everything goes dormant for the winter . Doing this will kill overwintering pests and eggs , as well as will give you a head start in your pest control efforts next spring . This strategy is especially effective for tent caterpillars , leaf rollers , aphids , and mites .
HOW TO USE
Neem oil degrades quickly in sunlight , so regular applications are necessary . You ’ ll want to treat your plants every seven to 14 days when trying to eradicate pests or fungal diseases . Even if you don ’ t have destructive bugs in your garden , it is a good idea to use neem oil preventatively . The earlier in the life cycle you treat pests with neem oil , the more effective it is . To make a foliar spray , mix two tablespoons of neem oil and two teaspoons of dish soap or other surfactant in one gallon of water . If the neem oil has solidified , place the bottle in warm water until it liquefies again . Spray the leaves , top and bottom , until the solution runs off the leaves . You can also spray directly on the soil to control root-knot nematodes and soil-borne diseases . When sprayed on the soil , it will also be taken up systemically by the root system , making leaves taste less appetizing to bugs looking for a snack . While overly concentrated doses of neem oil have been shown to hurt pollinators , the bees should be okay if you use the correct dosage . Be sure to spray during the time of day when bees are not out foraging , just to be on the safe side .
Of all the pesticides on the market , neem oil has more benefits and fewer disadvantages than most others and is ideal for organic gardening . By understanding the different kinds of neem oil and how to use them , you are ready to successfully add it to your routine for a pest-free , organic garden .
72 grow cycle