This is a product used for safe natural pest control without pesticides.
It is used for the organic farming of blueberries and other crops. Neem is perhaps one of the most important of the products sold commercially for organic farming. People value this as a natural pesticide and insect repellent. Neem oil is a pure, unformulated oil and is not registered for use as an insecticide, fungicide, or for any specific herbal use. It is claimed to be a large-scale fungicide, insecticide and miticide. 70% neem oil is reported to control many diseases, as well as insects and mites, including whitefly and aphids. Can be used for indoor / outdoor use on plants, flowers, vegetables, and shrubs, including blueberry plants.
It is usually light beige to brown in color and has a fairly strong odor. It is composed mainly of triglycerides and triterpenoid compounds. It does not like to combine with water (that is, it is hydrophobic) and must be made with appropriate compounds, such as soap, that reduce the surface tension of the surfactants in water to combine it into an emulsion in water for application.
neem oil source
What is it?
The neem tree is native to eastern India and Burma. Neem seed oil is a product that has been used in India for thousands of years for pest control and medicinal purposes. Neem oil is made by crushing the seed of the neem tree. This is accomplished by cold pressing the seed of the neem tree while controlling the temperature. A second method used to obtain neem seed oil is by using a solvent for extraction purposes.
Neem oil uses
The special mixtures made are widely used as a natural substance to act as an insecticide for organic agriculture. 70% It is effective for many diseases, as well as for insects and mites. It repels a wide variety of pests, including caterpillars that feed on foliage and can be a problem for blueberry plants. Other insects include aphids, whiteflies, beetles, beet armyworm, cabbage worm, fungus gnats, Japanese beetle, leaf miners, locusts, mites, moth larvae, fungus flies, nematodes, mealybug mealy and thrips. Aphids can also be a problem on blueberry plants. They suck the juices from plants (they feed on sap) and can be controlled using neem oil. Aphids are also often controlled by ladybug beetles and other natural enemies. Neem oil has not been shown to be harmful to earthworms, mammals, birds, or some helpful insects like butterflies, ladybugs, and bees. It can be used as a household product to destroy, repel or mitigate the common house fly, for cockroaches, ants, bed bugs, mosquitoes, sans fly, snails, termites. Neem oil also controls anthracnose, black spot, powdery mildew, and rust (fungi).
Neem oil affects a wide variety of insects. Its use can be an important part of a way to achieve an integrated insect control strategy. It is a bioinhibitor of insects absorbed by pests. It interferes with reproduction and feeding, resulting in a constant reduction of the insect inhabitants. It is biodegradable. My friend used it to get rid of whiteflies in his greenhouse and it solved the problem instantly.
Application fees
Mix one teaspoon of neem oil and ½ to 2 teaspoons of liquid soap or other emulsifier to mix well in 1 quart of warm water, or four teaspoons of neem oil and two teaspoons of liquid or basic H soap in 1 gallon of Water. Shake well. (If used with lukewarm water to facilitate mixing of Neem oil) Make sure oil is fully emulsified before spraying. If there is oil floating on top, add more soap or emulsifier as needed. Generously spray the diluted solution on all leaf surfaces. Spraying should be repeated every 7 to 10 days for 4 to 5 weeks if necessary.
An excellent wetting agent to use as an emulsifier is Basic H, a product sold by Shaklee Corporation.
Grow your own pesticide-free crops
You can buy pesticide-free grown blueberry plants from a reputable nursery at great prices. The best buy is two-year-old plants. Growing your own blueberries and other pesticide-free crops is smart in terms of your health and the savings in your pocket.
Toxicity
The main active pesticidal ingredient in neem oil is azadirachtin. Studies conducted when neem leaves were used to feed male rats in high daily doses for a long time. The results showed that it was 100% sterility (reversible). This suggests that you should not take neem if you are trying to conceive or are pregnant. Why take chances if there are unanswered questions?
Where can I buy it?
Some LOWE’s stores sell it.
In Kentucky, the Detweiler Country Store in Cub Run, Kentucky runs it.
Neem is distributed in large quantities by:
South West Plantscape Products
(800) 333-7977
southwestplantscape.com
References
Rajeev Seenappa, (2009) Dinkal Agro Inc: Organic for a healthy life
Schmutterer, H. (Editor) (2002) The Neem Tree: Source of Unique Natural Products for Integrated Pest Management, Medicine, Industry, and Other Purposes (Hardcover), 2nd Edition, Weinheim, Germany: VCH Verlagsgesellschaft. ISBN 3-527-30054 -6
