Neem Oil 120ml

Organic cold pressed neem oil

Neem oil is obtained from the seed kernels of the neem tree (Azadirachta indica) which contain about 50% oil. It is an organic deep yellow oil with a bitter taste and a garlic–like odor. Neem oil contains active ingredients like azadirachtin, nimbin, picrin, and sialin.

The neem tree is a 20-25 meter tall evergreen tree originating in India and Burma, and now found also in West Africa and Southeast Asia. The tree can live up to 200 years, and is highly regarded in India where all of it’s parts have been used since ancient times.

Neem oil has been used for centuries in India as a natural insecticide.

Against pests & funghi

Neem oil attacks pests at all stages of development — adult, larvae and egg.

The active chemical in neem oil - azadirachtin - minimizes insect damage in several ways:

• As an antifeedant - azadirachtin and the bitter taste of neem oil will cause the insect to stop eating the leaves.
• As a hormone disruptor - when insects come into contact with neem oil, it disrupts their regulatory hormones and prevents them from transforming into the next stage of development. For example immature insects, after contact or ingestion of the oil, have their molting process disrupted.
• By smothering

Insects that can be controlled with regular use of neem oil include:

• Leaf Miners
• Weevils
• Aphids
• Caterpillars
• Beetles
• Whiteflies
• Squash bugs
• Thrips
• Leaf hoppers
• Mealybugs
• Mites

Neem oil only targets leaf chewing and sucking insects – the pests that damage or destroy your harvest or garden. Beneficial insects, such as lady bugs, bees and other pollinators will not be affected.

While traditional chemical pesticides can harm earthworms, neem oil degrades quickly in the soil and encourages earthworm activity.

Neem oil is safe to use indoors to prevent pests and disease on houseplants. Spray the leaves and stems to control pests without worry of harming your children or household pets.

The best defence is a good offence. While neem oil works well to control pests, it is most effective as a deterrent. For best results, start spraying your plants before the pests have found them and repeat every 14 days. 

Neem oil is also a great fungicide.

You can use neem oil to prevent or even kill fungus on your plants. Use neem oil for powdery mildew and other common fungal diseases, including:

• Black spot
• Scab
• Rust
• Leaf spot
• Anthracnose
• Tip blight
• Mildew

Neem oil can be used throughout the season.

How-To

To use neem oil for pest control do as follows:

• Mix 1 liter warm water and 1/2 tsp liquid soap. The soap is necessary as an emulsifier - neem oil will not readily combine with water without an emulsifier
• Add 1½ tsp neem oil. Do not use more as it could cause leaf burn in the sun.
• Spray the leaves (don't forget the undersides!) and stems.
• Spray your plants in the morning or evening to prevent leaf burn in the sun, and also to avoid helpful pollinators being turned off by the scent.
• For best results, start spraying your plants before the pests have found them and repeat every 14 days. 
• To prevent fungi, spray susceptible plants every seven to 14 days until the fungus is no longer a threat. To kill fungi, spray plants once a week until the fungi clears up, and then spray every two weeks to keep it from coming back.
• If the oil has thickened due to cooler temperature, wrap your hands around the bottle for several seconds - the warmth of your hands will quickly return it to a liquid state. 

Tips

Helpful tips for using neem oil in the garden:

• Avoid spraying new seedlings with neem oil
• Make small batches of neem oil spray as needed, to avoid the mixture separating over time.
• Try a liquid peppermint soap as your emulsifier, or add a few drops of peppermint oil into the mixture - the fragrance of peppermint oil is also a great bug repellant.
• Test neem oil on a single leaf before using it for the first time on plants that need treatment. Check for signs of stress after 24 hours to be on the safe side. If all is well you can proceed and spray the whole plant.

Store in a cool dark place for best shelf life.