Oilypedia.com – Benefits And Uses Of Supplemental and Essential Oils 
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Try a neem oil insecticide. Among many benefits of neem oil is its feature of being a perfect insecticide. Neem oil can help you eliminate unwanted insects and keep the plants healthy.
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How does neem do it?
Some gardeners may have doubts concerning neem since they do not see the immediate effect. Unlike many other insecticides, neem oil does not straightaway kill the insects, but has a long-term effect in their elimination. Because of the substances that are contained in neem, insects are basically getting confused, “forgetting” to mate and feed. This leads to the whole generation break, destroying the lifecycle of the creatures and therefore ensuring the protection for the plants. Another thing is that neem does not hurt beneficial insects.
SEE ALSO: Neem Oil for Bed Bugs Elimination
How to use neem oil on plants?
The easiest and most convenient way to apply neem oil on plants is to spray it. You can make a neem oil spray by yourself and it is advised to use it as soon as possible after preparation. For making the spray with the 0.5% solution (general purpose one) you will need 5 ml of neem oil, 1-2ml of detergent (or insecticide liquid soap) and 1 liter of warm water.
- First mix the water with detergent
- Afterwards slowly add neem oil, stirring constantly
- Put the mixture in a sprayer
- Use right after preparation or as soon as possible and do not forget to regularly shake the sprayer
Neem oil against spider mites
Spider mites are small insects that tend to pierce the plants. They usually cover the whole plant in formations resembling spider webs, where their colonies and eggs are. In order to get rid of them, it is recommended to use a neem spray with concentration from 1 to 4 percent. As well you will need to use it generously as it has to get in physical contact with both insects and colonies. As a result, neem will not only eliminate the existing insects but also break their lifecycle and therefore prevent them from appearing on plants anymore.
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Dealing with powdery mildew
Another unpleasant thing any gardener would not like to see is powdery mildew. This disease has a fungal origin and can be easily recognized by white or grey spots and coating on the leaves of the plant. Powdery mildew causes serious damage to the plant like leaf yellowing and premature drop. To deal with it, do the following:
Watch for conditions
Powdery mildew feels perfect in dry, warm places with bad air circulation. Make sure to double-check your plants during warm time and allow good air flow to the place where plants grow.
Destroy the infected leaves and plant parts
If you notice an infected leaf, remove it and destroy, but do not just bury.
Use neem oil spray
Being antifungal, neem oil is a perfect solution for powdery mildew elimination. Spray the plant regularly with neem oil spray in order to eliminate and prevent further powdery mildew occurance. You may add a few drops of tea tree oil (Read more about tea tree oil uses).
