Pesticides based on neem oil (or neem oil) can be used for natural pest control of aphids, spider mites and the like. Learn how to use neem oil in crop protection here.
The oil of the neem tree can be used in many ways. The application as a plant protection agent shows particularly great potential. We give you exciting background information and explain how you can use neem oil in your garden or in your home.
Neem tree: origin and properties
The neem tree (Azadirachta indica) belongs to the mahogany family (Meliaceae) and within it to the genus Azadirachta. The tree is also called "Indian lilac". This already suggests that he has his homeland in Southeast Asia, more precisely in India, Myanmar, Bangladesh and Pakistan. Because the neem oil, which is extracted from the seeds of the tree, is so popular and it grows in most arid subtropical and tropical areas, the tree is now being cultivated in Australia, America and Africa.
The tree can reach a height of 20 meters and an age of up to 200 years and is very drought tolerant. It grows very quickly and can bear fruit after just a few years. A mature tree can produce up to 50 kg of fruit.
The flowers are white and their scent is reminiscent of jasmine. The resulting edible stone fruits are oval and up to 2.5 cm long. The seeds contained consist of up to 40% oil - from them the neem oil is made. The helpful active ingredients of the neem tree are found in all parts of the plant, but in different compositions.
Nearly all parts of the neem tree are used in different ways: leaves, seeds, flowers and even the bark. For example, during the Indian New Year festival, Hindu believers bathe in a decoction made from the leaves of the neem tree to cleanse the body and soul, while the twigs of the neem tree were formerly used to clean teeth.
Neem Oil: Making thePesticides
Pick up the fruit that falls from the neem trees and remove the pulp. What remains are the cores, which are processed in a wide variety of ways. The production of the neem oil can be done by these three methods:
- Cold pressing: The whole or ground seeds of the neem tree are gently pressed. This gives a yellow and bitter-smelling oil.
- Water extract: Another method is the water extract. Unfortunately, this is not very effective, but cheaper than the other methods. The ground kernels are placed in water and an extract is produced.
- Oil Extraction: The neem oil can also be extracted from the seeds. Saturated hydrocarbon is used for this (hexane).
Many insecticidal and acaricidal substances are found in the plant parts of the neem tree. The former are effective against insects, the latter against arachnids such as mites.
- Azadirachtin (the main active substance)
- Nimbin
- Nimbidin
- Nimbandiol
- Salannin
- Meloian Triol
With an optimal extraction of the oil from the seeds, an azadirachtin content of 30% can be obtained in the oil.
Tip: If you have purchased neem oil processed in this way, you should store it in a cool and dark place to prevent it from going bad and losing its potency.
Pest Control Neem
The active ingredients from the oil of the neem tree give us an excellent opportunity to keep pests on plants in check in a natural way.
Neem oil is used against these pests
Pesticides containing neem are mainly used against insects that damage crops or ornamental plants by biting or sucking. It works particularly well on biting insects, as it is absorbed through feeding. The azadirachtin in neem oil has an inhibitory effect on feeding and disrupts moulting. Neem has a wide spectrum of activity, it can be used against the following insects:
- Beetles (Coleoptera) such as the Colorado potato beetle (Leptinotarsa decemlineata) or weevils (Curculionidae).
- Self-winged insects (Homoptera), including aphids (Aphidoidea) or plant hoppers (Auchenorrhyncha).
- Diptera or, simply put, different flies.
- Butterflies (Lepidoptera), including pests such as the box tree moth (Cydalimaperspectalis).
Our Plantura organic pest-free neem is based on neem oil and is biologically effective against a wide range of pests.
How neem oil helps against pests
Azadirachtin from neem oil primarily acts on the larval stages by reducing the production of the hormone ecdysone, which is important for the larvae to molt. This disrupts or delays the metamorphosis of the larvae and no adult insects develop from the larvae. The insects either die, are damaged or can no longer reproduce. In adult insects, neem inhibits feeding activity. The dying off does not happen immediately, but the feeding stop occurs relatively quickly. Since these hormones are very widespread in the insect kingdom, azadirachtin or neem is not specific, but has a broad effect. It should also be noted that azadirachtin only acts on the last larval stages and damage by larvae can therefore not be avoided.
The following effects of neem oil can be observed on insects:
- Feed-inhibited
- Feed Deterrent
- Moult and pupation disorders
- Error laying eggs
- Decreased fertility
Since the active ingredients of neem oil are absorbed by the plants, insects that do not come into direct contact with the agent but eat on the plant or mine in a leaf or root can also be caught. Mining means that an insect eats inside a leaf, thereby creating "mines". The uptake of the active ingredient in the plant is part-systemic, so it is not distributed throughout the plant, but only in the immediate vicinity of the parts of the plant that have been sprayed.
Tip: Neem oil-based preparations are particularly effective against plant lice, such as aphids or whiteflies.
Neem oil as crop protection
Important: The use of specially mixed preparations from neem oil as a plant protection agent is not permitted. In the EU, only agents that have been tested and approved are allowed to be used. If you act illegally, you risk a hefty fine. The same applies to the use of vinegar, rapeseed oil or soft soap on plants. If you want to use the oil of the neem tree, we recommend an approved neem oil-based product.
Our Plantura organic pest-free neem is based on the highly effective neem oil and is forApproved for use in the garden and indoors or in greenhouses. The agent is designed so that you can simply dilute it with water and spray the emulsion onto the plant. The purely herbal remedy ensures that the pests quickly stop damaging your plant and then disappear completely from the plant. You can use organic pest-free neem both in your home and outdoors. The agent can be used against various sucking, biting and leaf-mining pests and is not dangerous to bees. Please make sure that you dose and use our organic pest-free neem exactly as specified in the application recommendation. Read the package insert before use.
Also, neem can be used as a powder, which is just as easy to purchase as neem oil. Residue from oil production - the neem cake - can be dried and processed into powder or pellets. You can work these products into the soil and thus achieve an improvement. The neem cake is a valuable fertilizer and can combat plant-damaging nematodes.
Another application of neem is neem meal. The grist consists of the whole seeds of the neem tree, which are crushed. You can find out how to use neem meal correctly in our article.
This precious oil comes with a lot of benefits, but like any remedy, neem oil has side effects. Some plants are sensitive to the agent and lose their leaves due to phytotoxic reactions. We have listed these special cases for you in the package insert of our neem pest-free so that you do not accidentally damage your protégés instead of curing them. Overall, processed neem preparations are better tolerated by plants than pure neem oil.
The fact that neem oil puts an end to so many annoying pests is practical, but of course neem oil does not know who is a pest and who is a beneficial one. Beneficial insects such as braconid wasps (Aphidius rhopalosiphi), lacewings (Chrysoperla carnea) or predatory mites (Amblyseius cucumeris) can be sensitive ) react. It is therefore extremely important that neem preparations are only used according to the instructions for use in the package leaflet in order to keep this risk as low as possible.
Other Uses of Neem Oil
The ingredients of neem oil can also be used on our pets. The neem oil can be used to treat wounds or to repel insectsbe used. In our article we explain how to use neem oil in dogs and horses. Not only is neem good for our plants and animals, but we can also use neem ourselves. We explain how you can use neem oil for your skin in our special article.
Important: According to the Federal Office of Consumer Protection and Food Safety, neem oil is classified as safe for cats. However, some scientific studies have shown that neem oil treatment can lead to greater or lesser discomfort and clinical symptoms such as tremors and convulsions in individual cats. Therefore, only use neem oil on your cats in consultation with your veterinarian.
Is neem oil not right for you? In this article we will introduce you to 10 home remedies to combat pests in the garden.