Spraying aphids with neem oil

Posted by Brigid on October 26, 2010 at 9:54am

hey I have a magnificent crop of roses and an equally stunning crop of aphids that I can't keep up with using the digital squash method

 

Has anyone tried neem oil - I don't usually spray and try to be completely organic - will it damage the bees and beneficial insects?

 

thanks

 

Brigid

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Replies

  • Hester January 10, 2011 at 8:57am
    I really recommend Neem soap, grated into hot water, then shaken up to dissolve. Put it in a spray bottle and use it to mist overpopulations of aphids. The combination of Neem and soap works really well. Get it from a Trade Aid shop. You only need to use a small amount at a time so a cake lasts for ages.
    • Brigid > Hester January 11, 2011 at 3:24am
      Thanks Hester that sounds way less messy than the neem oil I have currently got. I will definately try that
    • Dave Nicholls > Hester January 10, 2011 at 9:47am
      I didn't know you could get Neem soap from Trade Aid!  That's a great find thanks Hester.
  • steve December 19, 2010 at 1:04am

    hi, also plant orange calendulas around roses (and your whole veg garden), aphids cants resist them and seem to get stuck in there stickyness.

    • Brigid > steve January 10, 2011 at 8:50am
      thanks Steve I have plenty of them in the vege garden so will move some to the roses too
      in the end I blasted them with water and now they are fine
  • Meredith Thomas October 26, 2010 at 10:54am
    Hi Brigid, Neem oil is amazing for getting rid of aphids etc. For best results spray a combination of Neem Oil and Key Pyrethrum with Rainguard according to directions on containers. Spraying late in the afternoon after the bees and beneficial insects have gone home is best, it also gives the products time to work overnight before the sun can lessen their effect. All these products are available from Mitre 10 and some garden centers. You can also get these products mail order from Wally Richards and he has a wonderful little book "Wally's Down to Earth Gardening Guide" full of practical information. Go to www.gardenews.co.nz or phone him on 0800 466464. All the products are organic. Good luck with your lovely roses.
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