How neem helps to protect plants naturally

Neem is a plant that is native to various parts of the world, especially India. The scientific name of the neem plant is Azadirachta indica A Juss. It has been valued for centuries for its medicinal properties. The plant has unique abilities and is considered by many to be the most promising means of naturally keeping unwanted and voracious organisms away from plants, humans and animals. Neem is considered a prime example of natural pest control.

What are the benefits of neem as a pesticide?

Neem is an evergreen plant, a tree that can reach a height of up to 20 metres. The neem tree has a dense, spreading crown with evergreen leaflets that continuously renew themselves and have dense foliage even in extreme heat and drought. The neem tree is known for its valuable ingredients with its antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. The neem tree contains compounds in its seeds, leaves and bark that are known for their insecticidal properties.

The neem tree produces a vegetable oil known as neem oil in its fruit. The fruits are harvested when ripe and then dried. The vegetable oil is then cold-pressed from the seeds of the dried fruit. Approximately 1/3 of the seeds are pure neem oil and 2/3 are neem press cake.

Neem oil is a versatile product that is widely used in agriculture, horticulture and alternative pest control. It contains more than 100 different bioactive compounds such as azadirachtin, nimbin and salanine, which can repel voracious unwanted insects and inhibit their growth.

Clean and healthy plants with neem products: How neem helps to repel and prevent unwanted and voracious organisms

Neem oil is excellent for maintaining clean and healthy plants. It is sprayed on plants as a neem oil emulsifier-water emulsion and thus unwanted insects and mites avoid these plants. It is particularly effective in protecting plants as it is effective against sucking and biting insects such as aphids, fungus gnats, whiteflies, Colorado potato beetles, thrips and caterpillars.

Neem oil is often used in agriculture, horticulture and professional pest control. There are ready-made products made from neem oil, but you can also easily prepare a water emulsion from the raw material neem oil. To do this, the neem oil must first be mixed with an emulsifier such as the natural soapnut powder or the neem oil emulsifier Rimulgan.

The mechanism of action of neem oil is based on the active ingredients it contains, the best known of which are azadirachtin, nimbin and salanin. These substances disrupt the growth and development of insect larvae by influencing the hormone balance and metabolism of the pests. In the case of small insects such as aphids, scale insects, mites or thrips, neem oil also clogs their respiratory organs, the tracheae, which severely impairs their breathing.

Neem oil can be used in a variety of ways, e.g. as a spray or watering agent, for soil treatment or for seed treatment. It is important to use neem oil according to the instructions on the product label to ensure effective prevention of unwanted organisms while protecting plants and beneficial organisms.

The use of neem oil for pest control offers an environmentally friendly alternative to synthetic pesticides. It is biodegradable, non-toxic to humans and their pets. It also leaves no harmful residues in the environment. Neem oil is therefore favoured by many ecologically-minded farmers and gardeners, as it also protects beneficial insects such as bees, hoverflies and ladybirds.

Neem oil works on several levels to repel unwanted and voracious insects and mites

Firstly, neem oil works internally when ingested orally by the insects or mites. The main active ingredient azadirachtin has a close chemical resemblance to the juvenile hormone ecdysone, resulting in growth and developmental disorders, which ultimately disrupts the reproductive cycle. In this way, the development from larvae or juveniles to adults is impaired.

Secondly, small insects such as aphids, scale insects, mites or thrips have their respiratory organs, the tracheae, clogged by neem oil, which severely impairs their breathing.

Thirdly, neem oil has repellent and deterrent properties. It can deter organisms from infesting and damaging plants. This makes it a useful supplement for pest control in gardens and farms.

Fourthly, plants treated with neem are significantly less likely to be used for oviposition by flying insects. After short visits, these fly on without having laid their eggs in search of a more suitable food plant for their offspring.

Finally, neem oil also has antimicrobial properties. It can help prevent fungal infections and other diseases from developing on the plants. By reducing fungal growth and disease infections, neem oil can contribute to the health and vitality of plants. Ideally, it should be mixed with other fungus- or disease-repellent substances such as baking soda (sodium hydrogen carbonate) or the plant strengthening agent Lebermooser, as synergy effects between these natural agents have a strong effect.

Overall, neem is a natural and environmentally friendly option for maintaining healthy and clean plants. It offers an effective alternative to conventional chemical pesticides and can simultaneously ensure the health of plants and the safety of humans and animals.

Neem products to repel and prevent unwanted organisms

Are you a gardener or farmer looking for a natural solution to control pests? Then you should consider neem products. Neem products such as neem oil and neem press cake, which are extracted from the seeds of the neem tree native to India, have properties to keep predatory and unwanted organisms away from your plants.

Neem oil and its uses

Neem oil is extracted from the seeds of the neem tree and has properties that could be described as insecticidal and acaricidal. It is effective against a variety of organisms such as aphids, spider mites, whiteflies, box tree moths and caterpillars. Neem oil can be applied to plants in the form of an oil-water emulsion by spraying and acts in various ways against a variety of weedy insects. When taken orally, it disrupts the development cycle of insects and mites and hinders their reproduction. Regular application of neem oil can be an effective method of pest control without using harmful and dangerous chemicals.

Application of neem press cake

Neem press cake contains the same ingredients as neem oil. In addition, it contains many other organic substances that primarily serve to nourish the plants. All in all, neem press cake offers the complete diversity of the neem tree as an organic NPK fertiliser, which also acts as a nitrification inhibitor to reduce nitrate losses to groundwater and the air. Its bioactive neem ingredients prevent colonisation by undesirable organisms so that plants can develop unhindered.

Ground neem seeds in the garden

The simplest and most traditional form of using neem is crushed or ground neem seeds. The starting material is neem seeds that have been dried after harvesting. You can simply make a water extract from them to water the plants with. This protects the plants from voracious insects. The seed powder can also be scattered between plants and on lawns.

Neem leaves and their effect

Neem leaves have also been used traditionally for centuries to repel and drive away unwanted organisms. Neem leaves are spread in granaries and textile or food storage facilities to protect crops. Neem leaves can also be used to make extracts. The active ingredients in neem leaves not only have a deterrent effect on a large number of unwanted organisms, but also disrupt their feeding and reproductive behaviour. This leads to effective protection of plants and crops.

Neem products offer a natural and environmentally friendly alternative to chemical pest control. They can help reduce the population of various organisms and keep your plants healthy without jeopardising the environment or the health of humans and animals.

Neem is an established method of naturally deterring various unwanted and voracious organisms and is used successfully in many parts of the world. If you are looking for an environmentally friendly solution, you should consider using neem products.

Natural defence against unwanted organisms with neem in the garden

The use of chemical pesticides in the garden can be harmful to both plants and the environment. An environmentally friendly and natural alternative is the use of neem. Neem oil, neem press cake and neem leaves have long been recognised as effective agents and are used by both amateur gardeners and professional farmers.

Use of neem seeds in the garden

Neem seeds can be coarsely ground or shredded. A water extract can easily be made from this by adding 50 g of the neem seed meal to 1 litre of water. After about 3 hours, you get the finished extract, which you can use to water the plants. This is the traditional way in which farmers in India and Africa have been protecting their plants in the fields from voracious insects for decades.

You can also scatter the ground or crushed neem seeds dry between the plants or on the lawn. The active ingredients are activated by night-time moisture or watering and develop their effect.

The latter method has proven to be excellent for driving away the dreaded autumn mite or grass mite. These animals avoid areas treated with neem and retreat to untreated areas.

Using neem oil in the garden

Neem oil is extracted from the seeds of the neem tree and contains natural compounds such as azadirachtin, which repel unwanted insects and inhibit their growth. It can be used in various ways in the garden:

Insects: Neem oil can be used to repel insects such as aphids, whiteflies, caterpillars and beetles. It works by disrupting the feeding behaviour of these organisms and interfering with their growth. It deters the animals from colonising plants treated with neem and laying their eggs there. It also clogs their tracheas, leading to respiratory problems.

Fungi: Neem oil can also be used against fungal diseases such as mildew and rust. It forms a protective layer on the plant leaves and thus prevents the growth and penetration of fungi. It is important to use neem oil according to the instructions on the packaging and to adhere to the correct dosage to avoid potential side effects.

Neem as a fertiliser in the garden

Organic fertiliser: Neem press cake is produced when the neem oil is cold-pressed from the neem seeds and is known as an organic fertiliser. Neem press cake contains practically all the nutrients that plants need for growth and that can improve the soil. Neem press cake is registered with the umbrella organisation for organic farming, FIBL, as an organic compound fertiliser and can therefore be used freely in organic farming.

You can scatter Neem press cake in your garden and work it into the soil. In addition to the nutrients, the natural active ingredients are also released. These act as a deterrent and prevent colonisation by animals such as ants, beetles, e.g. weevils and grubs, fungus gnats and nematodes. As a result, the plants grow healthy and strong, as a strong root system can develop without being affected by predatory and unwanted organisms.

Neem leaves as an environmentally friendly means of preventing unwanted organisms

Neem leaves also have antimicrobial properties and can help ward off fungal infections and promote plant growth. You can apply the leaves directly, work them into the soil or make an aqueous extract to use as a plant spray.

Using neem products as a natural remedy in the garden offers an environmentally friendly alternative to chemical pesticides. It is important to check regularly for the presence of pests. Regular applications of neem will ensure healthy and vigorous plants.