Neem oil comes directly from the Neem tree's fruit, commonly found in and near India. The Neem tree is often called the miracle tree for its many medicinal benefits from the bark, leaves, and fruit.
Medicinal benefits are not the only thing that Neem trees can provide. Neem oil contains a chemical compound called Azadirachtin. This compound is used in organic gardening around the world.
Azadirachtin is well known for being a natural insecticide and pesticide. When spraying Neem oil on plants, it can help combat fungus, bacteria, insects, plant diseases, and weeds. Below are easy-to-follow recipes on how to use neem oil on plants and animals to protect them from bugs.
1. Neem Oil Plant Spray Recipe
Neem oil works as an effective way to control pests. Protect your plants from fungal disease, bacteria, plant diseases, and leaf-chewing or sucking insects like fungus gnats and spider mites.
You won't have to worry about killing helpful bugs like Leafhoppers, Aphids, Scales, Mites, Caterpillars, Whiteflies, Mites, Thrips, and Mealybugs.
Neem Oil Spray Ingredients
Home Garden solution for 32oz (1 Quart) of a 0.5% solution of Neem spray:
- 1 tsp (1.5 oz) - cold-pressed Neem oil
- 1/2 tsp - Insecticidal soap or Castile soap
- 1 Quart - Warm water
Industrial solution for 4 gallons of a 1% solution of Neem spray:
- 5/8 cup - cold-pressed Neem oil
- 2 1/2 Tsp - Insecticidal soap or Castile soap
- 4 Gallons - of warm water (If you have trouble dissolving the oil, use more soap).
Neem Oil Mixing instructions
Use warm water if possible. When making a large batch, premix the smaller ingredients in a small amount of warm water and then add that to the remaining water in the larger container.
- Mix the gallons of water with the liquid soap first!
- Then, slowly add the oil while stirring vigorously.
- Fill the mix into your sprayer. (Or fill the premix into your sprayer containing the rest of the water. Mix well.)
- Keep shaking or otherwise agitating the mix while spraying.
- Use the mixture within eight hours.
Neem Oil Spray Instructions
Spray your plants as quickly as possible once the spray has been mixed or within 8 hours for full effectiveness.
Spray the insecticide solution on all the leaves, especially the undersides of leaves, where garden pests like to hide. Use a 0.5% solution and spray once every two weeks.
This should protect your plants and act as pest control. If an infestation has occurred, spray once a week until the problem disappears.
If it rains, you may need to respray sooner. If you are dealing with a less sensitive insect species, you may need to increase the concentration of the neem spray.
2. Neem Oil Soil Drench Recipe
Why should you use a soil drench? Systematically give your plants a good soil drench and allow the Azadirachtin in Neem oil to be absorbed into the plant. This allows the neem oil to protect the plant from the inside out from things like black spots or powdery mildew. Neem will also help prevent fungus infections and soft bodies root rot.
Neem Soil Drench Ingredients
Home Garden solution for 32oz (1 Quart) of a 0.5% solution of neem:
- 3 Tbsp of cold-pressed Neem oil
- 1 Tsp of dish castile soap
- 1 Quart of warm water
Neem Soil Drench Instructions
We recommend combining neem and castile soap before adding to warm water. Add to the warm water after thoroughly mixing the neem and castile soap. Only apply neem oil soil drench once per month. In the case of an infestation, it is best to water weekly until you resolve the problem.
3. Neem Oil Bug Repellent Recipe
This spray mades a 32oz Spray that can be used on horses, cattle, and pets.
Neem Bug Repellent Ingredients
- 2 Cups - Vinegar
- 4 Cups - Warm Water
- 1/4 Cup - Neem oil
- 1/2 Tsp - Garlic Essential Oil
The Neem Oil will separate, so this needs to be shaken before and during each use. The Neem Extract will not separate but is not as effective as the oil. The essential garlic oil will increase the effects of the formula, but it works well without also.
Neem Bug Repellent Instructions
Remove the nozzle from an old spray bottle or a commercially bought spray bottle. Insert a funnel. Pour 2 cups of vinegar into the bottle using the funnel.
You can use either apple cider or distilled vinegar or for healing, use Aloe Vera Juice. Add water 4 cups of warm water. Add the 1/4 cup Neem Oil. Replace the nozzle and shake.
4. Neem Oil Head Lice Recipe
Like any other insect that feeds by sucking, neem can efficiently kill lice. Neem is effective at killing insects at all stages.
Using neem on your scalp will effectively stop lice from reproducing and maturing. Neem can also be used to paralyze, suffocate, and then kill them.
Neem Head Lice Remover Ingredients
- 2 Tbsp of Cold Pressed Neem Oil
- 1 Tbsp of carrier oil (Avocado oil, MCT oil, or Grapeseed oil)
- Natural Shampoo
Neem Head Lice Remover Instructions
Neem oil is potent and should be diluted with a carrier oil before application. Once mixed, warm the oil and apply it to your scalp, leaving it on for an hour. Afterward, comb through your hair to remove dead lice and wash with shampoo. Alternatively, pre-made Neem products for skin and hair are available.
5. Neem Oil Body Balm Recipe
As mentioned above, neem oil has medicinal benefits. It has been used for centuries to treat all manner of skin ailments. Neem can help reduce inflammation, stop itching, moisturize skin, and work as an anti-fungal.
Neem Body Balm Ingredients
- 21.3g / 1.5 Tbsp Shea Butter
- 28.3g / 2 Tbsp Cocoa Butter
- 17.7g / 1.25 Tbsp Castor oil
- 21.3g / 1.5 Tbsp Grapeseed oil
- 10.6g / 0.75 Tbsp Neem oil
- 1.2g / 0.25 Tsp Vitamin E oil (optional)
Neem Body Balm Instructions
To create the balm, melt cocoa, shea, grapeseed, and castor oils in a double-boiler or a bowl over hot water. Once liquified, let it cool in the freezer for 5 minutes. Then, mix in neem, vitamin E, and any desired essential oils. Transfer the mixture to a clean container with a lid and let it set before use.
Sum It Up!
Thank you for visiting our blog. We hope these neem oil recipes will be effective and instructive. You can always contact our customer service agents if you need help knowing how much neem oil per 32 oz of water you should add.
Zatural offers some of the active ingredients needed for these recipes. Specifically, our 100% natural cold-pressed neem oil. Our prices are always low, and our neem oil products are always natural. For premade neem products, check out our neem product list.
For educational purposes only
*FDA DISCLAIMER -The FDA has not evaluated these statements.