Working in the garden this week, I noticed aphids are starting to eat my broccoli leaves. These unwanted insects can do a lot of damage to plants in a short amount of time! Doing some research a few years ago, I came across a product that does not harm humans or pollinators. This product is called Neem oil.
Neem oil is an oil that comes from the kernels of a need tree. These trees are found in tropical areas of the world. The kernels are pressed to get the oils out of the kernels. The oil is yellow/white in color and has a garlic undertone.
This oil helps control pests on not only fruits and vegetable plants but can also be used on houseplants. If you do not like the smell of garlic, I would recommend taking the houseplant outside to spray since the fragrance can sometimes be potent.
With very low toxicity to humans and animals, I feel this is the safest way to control aphids, white flies, Japanese beetles, and spider mites.
How this product works is the insects that eat the green leaves taste the oils, which deters them, leaving the pollinators unharmed since pollinators do not eat flowers or leaves. This product can also be applied to the soil; this deters the insects in the soil from eating the roots of the plants. When spraying your plants, make sure to spray both the top of the leaves and the bottoms. Some insects find the underside of the plant a great place to dine on the leaves but also build nests.
I have also been told that Neem oil can help control fungal diseases, powdery mildew, and black spot.
With Neem oil being a great product to have in any garden, there are some plants that Neem oil should be kept away from — herbs and leafy vegetables such as lettuce and spinach.
When applying Neem oil to plants, the product will leave an oily film on the plants and stems. This product could take up to three to four days before you see any results. I recommend spraying the plants every twenty to thirty days to help prevent problems before they arise.
I must warn you that spraying too much can harm any plant. Spraying too much will cause the plant not to be able to absorb the nutrients they need.
Happy gardening!
