How To Use Neem Oil Insecticide


A highly effective natural insecticide, neem oil extract can be used to control everything from common variety garden pests to mildew.



As useful as it is, neem oil insecticide is a somewhat strong chemical and some care and knowledge is needed when handling it. Keep in mind that a large number of garden insects are beneficial and necessary, use the neem oil insecticide wisely to remove only pests.





  1. A wholly organic botanical insecticide, neem oil is extracted from the neem tree seeds. Native to the Indian subcontinent, the neem tree has many significant uses in the fields of garden pest control, spermicidal agent or even toothbrushes. An organic product, neem oil insecticide has been used by gardeners for centuries as an effective method of controlling certain insect species.

  2. Neem oil insecticide is commercially sold in organic insecticidal sprays where it is one of many organic compounds carefully selected for maximum pest control effectiveness. Neem oil insecticides are also occasionally sold in concentrated form meant to be diluted before it is used in the garden. If you like making your own insecticide you can buy pure neem oil and use that to mix your own customized spray.

  3. Effective at controlling a large number of common garden insect pests, neem oil insecticides are a powerful weapon in a gardener's arsenal. Neem oil mixed with water sprayed on the tops and bottoms of leaves can be an effective way to deal with aphids. Other garden insects that are easily dealt with by neem oil insecticides are stink bugs, leaf-footed bugs, squash bugs and spider mites. In addition to its bug killing powers neem oil insecticide can also be used to control powdery mildew growth on plants.

    4. It should be remembered that neem oil is an organic insecticide and as such will last for a shorter time than other, stronger chemical insecticides. It also does not act on a plant's internal systems are extensively as other insecticides, meaning that neem oil insecticides has to be applied more frequently. The time between neem oil applications depends on the insect infestation severity - you can spray the neem oil insecticide as many times as you want to control garden pests. It should be pointed out that neem oil is a slow acting poison, and you may have to wait for up to a week to see a noticeable reduction in the insect population. Be patient and let the neem oil do its magic.

  4. One downside of neem oil insecticide is that it is too good at what it does.Neem's strength makes it somewhat too effective for regular use in your garden. Keep in mind that neem is not at all selective in which insects it affects, and will happily kill pests and beneficial insects alike. You will not be able to maintain a well balanced and organic garden unless you have enough beneficial insects. As a rule of thumb you should use less severe pest control methods in your garden before resorting to neem oil. You can use less powerful and more selective organic insecticides to control specific types of insects, or even resort to hand-picking insects off plants. Use neem as a last resort, when the bugs in your garden are out of control.