Why Do I Need Neem in My Garden?

Neem acts as a natural insecticide in several different ways but it will not give you the quick killing action of some fast acting insecticides such as insecticidal soap. First, Neem is an oil. When oils are used to kill insects it smothers very small insects with a layer that interferes with their uptake of oxygen so they suffocate.

Secondly, and not understood very well, Neem disrupts the normal activities of insects that happen to eat it or take it up inside their bodies. The activities disrupted include normal eating patterns, mating and egg-laying. So you can see that you might not see an immediate “kill” from applying Neem. It is slow to act.

             

Neem does not last very long on the surface of plants applied to soils. It is broken down very quickly lasting one or two days max. Neem should be applied as part of an integrated pest control program combined with other insecticides of choice.

             

Neem has been promoted as a fungicide but so have many of the other plant oils as well such as jojoba, clove oil, cinnamon oil, etc. For us, Neem is primarily an insecticide.

             

Bottom line – use it for chewing insects or insects that groom themselves often. Insects need to take it inside their bodies. Don’t expect a rapid kill. Repeat applications in rotation with other insecticides now and through the growing season will help reduce pest problems in the garden. Apply at times when daytime temperatures are cool and there is little to no wind. Spray upwards on the bottom sides of leaves and
protect developing fruits and vegetables.