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Neem oil is considered a natural plant protection and effective home remedy for pest control. In this guide you will find out what distinguishes the plant protection product and how it is used.

In a nutshell

  • Neem oil contains azadirachtin
  • Azadirachtin inhibits feeding and disrupts moulting
  • vermin starve
  • Larvae stop developing and die

Neem oil at a glance

Neem oil is the oil from the seeds of the neem tree (Azadirachta indica), which is native to the Indian subcontinent. Due to the bitter taste, it is not used in cooking or in perfumes. Due to the insecticidal ingredients, it is ideal for natural pest control. The seeds contain up to 50 percent oil, which can be used after extraction. It can be recognized by the following properties:

  • green-yellow to brown color
  • smells of sulfur and leeks
  • antiseptic
  • antibacterial
  • anti-inflammatory

The plant protection product is known under the name neem oil, although the plant is called neem tree. The reason for this is the original name of the tree in Hindi: Neem. In Germany there are two other variations of the name. You should know these so that you don't get confused when choosing a product:

  • neem oil
  • neem oil

effect

Neem oil can only be used as a natural crop protection because it has an effective ingredient. This is azadirachtin from the group of limonoids. If the oil of the neem tree gets into the body of the pest, it restricts the supply of the hormone ecdysone, which in turn leads to the following problems:

  • inhibits food intake
  • deters
  • reproduction is restricted

The effect is even more intense on the larvae, as they absorb large amounts of the substance. This has a strong influence on their further development and the larvae die over a short period of time. The following points deal with the effect of the oil on larvae and caterpillars:

  • Egg-laying and production is restricted
  • Pupation is made more difficult
  • skinning is no longer possible

pests

Neem oil is one of the most popular natural pest repellents because it can be used against a wide variety of pests. Neem oil is particularly well suited as a natural crop protection when it comes to pests that suck or eat the parts of the plant. This is the only way for the ingredients to get into the pest's body, allowing it to take effect. The following pests are particularly susceptible to the oil:

  • Vine weevil (Otiorhynchus)
  • Colorado potato beetle (Leptinotarsa decemlineata)
  • Spider mites (Tetranychidae)
  • Weevil (Curculionidae)
  • Plant lice (Sternorrhyncha
  • plant-damaging butterflies (Lepidoptera)
  • plant-damaging flies (Diptera)
  • Snails (Gastropoda)
  • harmful nematodes (Nematoda)
Colorado potato beetle, spider mites, vine weevil, snails (from left to right) & weevil

Notice: Some beneficial insects, such as lacewings or predatory mites, are not fans of neem oil and therefore stay away from the treated plant. Zeave that considered in the application.

Application: Neem Oil

Neem oil has the great advantage that it can be used without much effort. It is offered either as an oil, from which you can make a pesticide yourself, or as a preparation developed by various manufacturers. No matter which variant you choose, both are suitable as natural plant protection. Ready-mixed preparations are available in hardware stores, garden shops or online shops that specialize in pesticides. The advantages of preparations are:

  • contain emulsifiers for easy mixing
  • direct application possible
  • Dosage ideal for plants

If you do not use any preparations, but want to mix an agent from the oil yourself, you should observe the following mixing ratio:

  • 1 liter of water
  • 2 tsp neem oil

You don't need more for pest control, otherwise the agent will become too strong. Keep in mind, however, that water and pure neem oil won't mix completely without an emulsifier. For this reason, more of the self-mixed agent must be used to provide the plant with sufficient care when spraying. Mix the neem oil into the irrigation water, the emulsifier is not important. When mixing, pay attention to the lime content of the water if the plant to be treated is sensitive to lime. You can then administer the mixture. This can be done using the following methods:

  • irrigation water
  • spray plant

When using it, you should make sure that the weather is right. Without the right weather conditions, problems arise that either damage the plant or reduce the effectiveness of the oil. Apply the neem oil only if the following properties are met:

  • no direct sunlight
  • Foliage could suffer burns
  • not in rainy weather
  • Neem oil is washed away

Notice: If the infestation by the pests is only weak, it is advisable here Neebule for prevention. To do this, simply spray the plant completely to limit eating behavior.

Application: neempress cake

Instead of the oil, you can apply neempress cake for pest control. They have the same effect as the oil but are more effective on soil pests. Neem press cake is the peeled seeds of the neem tree, which are either pressed into pellets after the oil has been extracted or offered loose as a coarse-grained powder. In addition to the effect as a natural crop protection agent, the press cakes have additional properties:

  • acts as a supporting fertilizer
  • protects against nitrogen leaching

For this reason, the press cakes are popular with many garden owners. They are particularly suitable against stubborn pests such as vine weevil. The application of the press cake is extremely simple and is therefore, compared to the oil, suitable for plants that are often exposed to the rain. Use these as follows:

  • Dosage per m²: 50 g
  • Rake the press cake into the soil
  • Do not crush pellets
  • incorporate directly into the piece
  • catch up every 2 months during the growing season

possible side effects

When using neem oil, you need to be aware of possible side effects. Not every plant responds positively to the use of the oil, which could lead to a variety of problems. Above all, an overdose is not recommended, as this often causes side effects. The following side effects are typical if the drug is too intense:

  • loss of leaves
  • Leaves are curling
  • sensitive plants die completely

Tip: If you are unsure whether the oil is too harsh on a particular plant, only treat a leaf or young shoot with the pesticide. If side effects are recognizable as a result, she not use the remedyn.

frequently asked Questions

Is Neem Oil Harmful to Bees and Other Pollinators?

No, neem oil does not have a negative effect on pollinating insects. In order for the ingredients of the oil to work, parts of the treated plant must be consumed. Pollinating insects do not feed on plant parts, so they do not take up azadirachtin. This makes neem oil a good alternative to insecticides on plants that bees like to visit.

How is neem oil stored?

To prevent neem oil from going moldy or rancid, you need to store it properly. Dark cookies with a temperature of 5°C to 45°C are well suited. It should not be exposed to direct sun. In this way, the oil can be used over a period of six to twelve months.

Is neem oil used exclusively as a crop protection product?

No, neem oil is a popular personal care product that can be used in a variety of ways. You can therefore use the oil to make soaps or shampoos, for example. Due to its antibacterial and cleansing effect, it helps with skin blemishes or to relieve pain, for example.

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Category:

Garden pests