The Florida summer months bring the rainy season with them. Although rain offers great benefits in its vital nutrients that “green up” our plants and landscape, there are some drawbacks that present themselves as well. Along with the heavy rains comes the potential rise in insects, fungus, scale, and mites on your plants and landscape. However, these ailments can be easily prevented or controlled by a product called neem oil. It’s an incredibly safe product (you can use it on herbs, fruits, and vegetables too) that controls fungal diseases including black spot, mildews, rusts, and scab. It also kills mites, insects, whiteflies, aphids and scales. It is an excellent “cure all” for most common plant ailments that will start to surface in the hotter, wetter and more humid summer months. Don’t let your landscape be the breeding ground of such pests and fungus, take action with neem oil or any of our other great products that will keep your plants healthy.
What is neem oil?
Neem oil is a naturally occurring pesticide found in seeds from the neem tree. It is yellow to brown, has a bitter taste, and a garlic/sulfur smell. It has been used for hundreds of years to control pests and diseases. Components of neem oil can be found in many products today. These include toothpaste, cosmetics, soaps, and pet shampoos. Neem oil is a mixture of components.
What are some products that contain neem oil?
Neem oil and some of its purified components are used in over 100 pesticide products. They are applied to a wide variety of crops and ornamental plants for insect control. Neem oil can be formulated into granules, dust, wettable powders or emulsifiable concentrates.
Always follow label instructions and take steps to avoid exposure. If any exposures occur, be sure to follow the First Aid instructions on the product label carefully. For additional treatment advice, contact the Poison Control Center at 1-800-222-1222.
Source: National Pesticide Information Center (npic.orst.edu)
