What is Neem Oil? Neem oil is a very popular pest preventative and direct treatment for most pest or mite infestations on plants.
Neem oil is a vegetable oil extracted from the seed kernels of the Neem tree, Azadirachta indica. The oil contains active ingredients such as Azadirachtin, Nimbin, Picrin and Sialin.
Where does neem oil come from?
Neem oil, Indian lilac or Nimtree are the plant's common names, and are derived from the plant Azadirachta indica. It is one of two species in the Genus Azadirachta, native to the Indian subcontinent including India, Nepal, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka and the Maldives) neem grows in tropical and semi-tropical regions. The fruits and the seeds are the source of neem oil.
What does it do?
Neem oil when applied to mite infested plants for example will disrupt the feeding cycle of them which causes starvation, halts breeding cycles and the oil also smothers and suffocates any pests/mites directly sprayed with it. It will take care of all 3 types of spotted mites, thrip, springtails and caterpillars.
Neem oil is considered safe and nontoxic to plants and it is also used in a variety of human applications for problems like head lice, eczema and dandruff.
Where can I get Neem oil?
Neem is available in many forms, the most popular we have found is Mite-Rid. It is also available in powder forms, concentrates and readily made solutions.
Mite-Rid is probably the most used for spider mite treatment, it contains a number of organically derived botanical oils including neem oil which acts as a deterrent for many types of plant pests, especially the two-spotted and red spider mite populations. Mite-rid is also an effective agent in many situations where insect pests appear as it can create a barrier on plants when used regularly. It is quickly taken in by the plant where the oil remains for several days any solution not absorbed by the plant rapidly degrades. Mite-rid is nontoxic to animals and plants.
Mite-Rid can be purchased here for those in need.
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