|
UC IPM Home > Home,
Gardens, Landscapes, and Turf > Pesticides > Neem
Oil
How to Manage Pests
Pesticide Information
Neem oil
Type
Fungicide and insecticide.
Plant uses
Ornamentals, fruit trees, vegetables.
Pests controlled
Powdery mildew, rust, black spot, aphids, spider mites.
 Hazards to people
Very low; neem oil is used in cosmetics and toothpaste.
|
Hazards to wildlife
Low.
|
Hazards to beneficials
Low,
although it will kill soft-bodied insects if they are covered. There is no residual toxicity to beneficials.
|
Potential period of activity after treatment
For insects and mites, very short: provides control of insects and mites only on contact. For fungi,
it may prevent germination of new spores for several days before and after application. There is no systemic or
eradicant activity.
Precautions and safety equipment
Wear a long-sleeved shirt and long pants, eye protection, shoes and socks, and rubber gloves when
applying pesticides. Some plants may be sensitive to neem oil. Check for phytotoxicity first. Do not apply to drought-stressed
plants or when temperatures are very hot or cold. Don't apply oils to blooms.
Active ingredient
Clarified hydrophobic extract of neem oil from the neem seed. This is essentially a plant-derived
horticultural oil. Do not confuse neem oil with azadiractin, which is an insecticide extracted from the neem seed.
Azadiractin is more toxic to a broad range of chewing insects than is neem oil, but does not have significant fungicidal
activity.
Application tips
Good coverage of infested plant surfaces is essential for control of insects or fungi. Keep sprayer
agitated and thoroughly wet all plant surfaces including undersides of leaves. Repeat applications may be needed
at 7 - 14 day intervals for fungi and more often for arthropods.
Always check the label before purchasing or applying a pesticide product for a specific pest on a specific plant
to be sure it can be applied. Follow label directions precisely.
WARNING ON THE USE OF CHEMICALS
|
