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Neem Oil Insecticide
- A
natural nut oil insecticide -
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Summary: Neem oil is
extracted from the nut of the tropical neem tree.
Neem oil insecticide contains the chemical azadirachtin
which is an effective, low toxicity alternative
to conventional garden insecticides for many
leaf-feeding pests.
Jack DeAngelis, PhD
OSU Ext. Entomologist (ret.)
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Neem oil is a natural
insecticide
Neem oil is
extracted from the nut of the neem tree (Azadirachta
indica). The tree is native to India but is
now being grown in a number of tropical and
semi-tropical countries.
The neem tree has many
uses in traditional medicine, hygene and as a source
of natural insecticide. The active
insecticidal component of neem oil is a chemical
called azadirachtin. Neem oil insecticides
exhibit very low mammalian toxicity and have many
uses for control of pests of food crops as well as
on landscape and greenhouse ornamental pests. Neem
oil insecticides stop insect feeding and interfere
with their normal development.
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neem tree;
photo by Leonardo Lucantoni;
www.wikipedia.com
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Neem oil insecticide
Neem oil insecticide
solutions are made by mixing an oil concentrate
(usually 3-4.5% azadirachtin) with water. The oil is
sometimes combined with insecticidal soap to
enhance the activity of both (see Using
Insecticidal Soap to Control Garden Pests).
Always check the
product label carefully but most neem oil
insecticides can be effectively used for aphids,
armyworms, many leaf-feeding insects such as root
weevil adults, leafminers, thrips and whiteflies.
Sprays can be used on many vegetable crops as
well as spices and herbs, small fruits
and berries, stone fruits and tropical
fruits. Insecticide applications can often be
made up to the day of harvest.
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Benefits of neem oil
insecticide
- low toxicity, safe for
the applicator
- low environmental
impact
- organic and
biorational
- relatively broad usage
allowed
- easy on beneficial
insects and mites
Beside all of the
benefits of neem oil the only real downside is that it
is not very persistent so may need to be re-applied
every few days (see instructions on product label).
Many gardeners, however, consider this characteristic
to actually be another benefit because neem oil
insecticide won't interfere with beneficial insects or
delay harvest.
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Jack DeAngelis,
Ph.D.
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