What is Neem?

Neem is a wonderful plant that some of you may or may not have heard of. However, neem has been around for thousands of years, and is well-known in India and South–East Asia where it grows and has been used for many uses, including a way to control insects naturally. Neem seeds, neem oil and even the neem leaves can all be used and have many benefits.

Neem today is finally gaining recognition as an organic answer to controlling insects from locust invasions in Africa to leaf miner insects that invade and destroy birch trees in the USA.

Neem is a highly effective pesticide that once sprayed, will keep the insects at bay.  It works in a variety of ways from killing all sucking and chewing insects, keeping insects at bay who refuse to eat the sprayed foliage and end up dying of starvation, as well as disrupting the sexual reproduction of insects so that their life cycle is both disrupted and ended.

Best, of all, neem is perfectly safe to spray on vegetables and fruit crops as well as ornamental shrubs and plants. It has also been included in India in toothpaste, soap, shampoo for nits, cosmetics and cattle feed.

However, if neem seeds are consumed directly, these are highly toxic. But neem is harmless to other beneficial insects like birds, bees and ladybirds. Because neem is not toxic to humans and other animals, areas that are sprayed with neem are not areas to be avoided like other areas that are sprayed with synthetic pesticides.

The only organisms affected by neem are those that are chewing or sucking at your plants. Neem is a totally natural product that is biodegradable. And if you are wondering about your earthworms, it was found that in areas where neem was sprayed the population of earthworms increased, as did the size of them.

In addition, bees that were exposed to neem produced 3 times as much pollen and twice as much honey as non-treated bees. (Liu et al, 1989). They also showed a better resistance to mites and other diseases.

This is not surprising when you learn that neem is also used by the Indians to cure medical conditions; psoriasis, athlete’s foot, warts, dandruff, cracked heels, and other medical ailments.

Neem can also be used safely by humans as a natural mosquito repellant. If you live in a mosquito-infested area, this is really good news, as the alternatives out there in using DEET or AREOGUARD is really not a healthy option.

Neem is also good for sand flies and ticks. One application should be good for up to 12 hours. Livestock, if sprayed with neem oil will be given the same level of protection against biting flies, ticks and mosquitoes.

When a concentration of neem seed extract was given to livestock as part of their diet, the horn fly was practically eradicated (Miller and Chamberlain, 1989).

A light coating of neem oil protects stored food crops for up to 20 months from all sorts of infestations with no deterioration or loss of palatability (Dunkle et al, 1995).

Traditionally, Neem has been used by farmers for a variety of problems and they have used the bark, the leaves, the neem oil extracted from the neem seeds, as well as the residual material left over from the seed pressings called a neem cake.

When using neem as in insect-repellant on your plants it quickly breaks down due to the sunlight over 5-7 days, and therefore should be applied regularly to be effective.

However, one thing to take into consideration is that insects do not become immune to neem spray like other insecticides. Therefore each application makes it just as effective as the last application.

However, be patient when applying your neem. Once you make your first spray, don’t expect the insects to drop dead on the spot. They will remain on your plants for at least 2 weeks.

For small areas, and if you have access to neem seeds you can make your own homemade neem recipe.

Take 1 ounce (25 grams) ground neem seeds and place in a bucket. Pour over 2 cups (500 ml) of luke wam water. Mix well and let it steep for up to 4 hours. Filter the mixture through an old nylon stocking to get rid of any bits, and then use this on your plants immediately. Spray and repeat the application every 10 days.

Collect neem seeds depulp and clean.  Dry the seeds in the shade for 3-7 days. Discard any that are mouldy. Once dry finely crush in a mortar or a mill. Mix 1 lb. (500 g) crushed neem seeds with 2.6 gallons (10 liters) water and leave to sit overnight. The next day filter the mixture through a piece of fine cloth such as cheesecloth. What is left can be sprayed directly onto your crops, fruit trees and vegetables.

Apply only once a week and repeat every 10 days for good pest control.

Store any unused neem tea in an air-tight container in a cool, dark place.

For larger areas buy a commercially prepared neem spray. There are several around now that can be purchased off the Internet.

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