If you like control pests of the plants in your house, orchard or garden no chemical pesticides which can be harmful to the plants themselves, the environment and your health, neem oil can be a good option.
However, as with all products intended to prevent or control pests, you have to know how to use it well.
What is neem oil?
He neem oil is extracted from the tree of the same name (Azadirachta indica), native to areas of Southeast Asia such as India, Sri Lanka and Myanmar. It is a tree that can reach 30 meters in height with very aromatic white flowers and some fruits similar to olives.
It’s a sacred tree in hindu religion and in Ayurvedic medicine it is used topically to treat diseases and skin problems such as psoriasis, leprosy, skin fungi (such as athlete’s foot), acne… Neem oil, which It is extracted from the first cold pressing of the seedshas been traditionally used for cosmetic purposes and also as insecticide and pesticide.
USES of neem oil for plants
Neem oil fulfills various functions for plant care:
- Against insect pests: It is considered useful for eliminating pests of aphids, beetle larvae, caterpillars, grasshoppers, scale insects, thrips, red spiders and whiteflies.
- To combat fungi such as powdery mildew and black spot.
The main active ingredient in neem oil is azadirachtinwhich repels and alters the hormonal balance of insects, preventing their reproduction and feeding and, ultimately, causing their disappearance. It also contains other compounds that are effective in treating fungal and bacterial diseases.
How to use neem oil for plants
Neem oil can be used on all types of plants, both indoor and garden.whether flowers, herbs, vegetables or vegetables. However, before using it extensively It is advisable to do a small test on a sheet and wait about 24 hours to see how the plant reacts.
In plant stores you can find various products containing neem oil as an ingredientSome have it already diluted and come in the form of a spray that you can use directly on the plants, and in others it is concentrated and must be diluted previously.
You can also buy pure neem oil at health food stores and dilute it in water. It’s as simple as following these steps:
- Mix about 30 drops of neem oil in a liter of water and place it in a sprayer (to be more effective, make the mixture the day you are going to use it).
- Start spraying the plant to be treated from the top and go down so that the liquid reaches all parts of the plant, including the underside of the leaves, where many insects usually hide and lay eggs.
- After about 3 or 4 dayscheck if the pest is still on the plant and, if so, reapply the neem oil. You may need a few applications before you see the effects.
It is advisable to apply it early in the morning or at the end of the day to avoid burns on the leaves and because beneficial insects (such as bees, butterflies or ladybugs) are less active at these times, so you run less risk of damaging them. It is recommended to avoid use during extreme temperatures.
neem oil can also be poured into irrigation waterat a rate of about 3 to 5 ml of neem oil for each liter of water.
Unlike other pesticides that continue to act after application, neem oil has no effect once it has dried. It is biodegradable and decomposes quickly into harmless components.
In any case, if you have used neem oil on vegetables, fruits or vegetables, It is important that you wash them well before eating them.