How to Make Neem Oil Pesticide
Neem oil spray can repel and kill garden insect pests while also treating fungal plant diseases. Available in small bottles for home use, pure neem oil must be mixed with water so that the oil makes up no more than 2 percent of the garden spray.
A few drops of mild liquid soap, such as nondetergent dish soap, helps the spray stick to plants.
Things You Will Need
- 1-quart plastic bucket
- Measuring spoons
- Liquid dish soap or commercial insecticidal soap
- Long-handled spoon or paddle
- Funnel
- Clean spray bottle
Tip
The neem tree (Azadirachta indica) grows in U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 10 to 12. If you are having a severe infestation of pests, double or quadruple the amount of neem used in the spray. Don't exceed about 4 teaspoons per 1 quart of water, which represents a 2 percent solution. Spray the basic 0.5 percent neem spray as a preventative every other week. For specific problems, use the 1 percent to 2 percent solution once a week, and reapply after rainfall.
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Fill a 1-quart bucket with warm water. Add about 1/8 teaspoon of liquid soap and mix the water vigorously to disperse the soap.
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Drizzle in 1 teaspoon of neem oil slowly while continuing to stir the soapy water. This will result in a 0.5 percent neem solution, which is useful for preventative spraying.
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Unscrew the top of a spray bottle. Put a funnel over the neck of the bottle and pour the neem solution into it, until the liquid is almost to the neck of the bottle. Screw the spray head back onto the bottle.
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Shake the bottle after filling it.
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Spray plant leaves thoroughly on both their tops and bottoms -- especially the latter, where pests and eggs often lurk.
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Refill the bottle as needed from the remaining neem oil pesticide in the bucket. If you don't use the entire amount in one day, discard the remainder of the spray. Drenching the ground around infested or diseased plants is a useful way of using up the extra neem solution.
The Drip Cap
- Neem oil spray can repel and kill garden insect pests while also treating fungal plant diseases.
- This will result in a 0.5 percent neem solution, which is useful for preventative spraying.
- Put a funnel over the neck of the bottle and pour the neem solution into it, until the liquid is almost to the neck of the bottle.
- Screw the spray head back onto the bottle.
References
Writer Bio
Ellen Douglas has written on food, gardening, education and the arts since 1992. Douglas has worked as a staff reporter for the Lakeville Journal newspaper group. Previously, she served as a communication specialist in the nonprofit field. She received her Bachelor of Arts from the University of Connecticut.
Photo Credits
- Dale Davidson/Demand Media
- Dale Davidson/Demand Media
- Dale Davidson/Demand Media
- Dale Davidson/Demand Media
- Dale Davidson/Demand Media
- Dale Davidson/Demand Media
- Dale Davidson/Demand Media
- Dale Davidson/Demand Media
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