Neem or Margosa oil: homemade insect repellent

Neem oil also known as Margosa oil is an oil pressed from the seeds of the Neem tree (Azadirachta indica).

1. Neem oil is a naturally ocurring pesticide and contains compounds that are disliked by insects.

2. It is derived from the evergreen neem tree (Azadirachta indica), native to India.

3. Neem oil is slightly toxic to fish and other aquatic organisms

4. Neem oil doesn’t combine readily with water and needs an emulsifying agent.

5. Recipe 1

   1. 10 drops of neem oil
   2. 30ml of coconut oil
   3. Boiled water and vodka.
   4. Mix the ingredients in a spray bottle
   5. Spray on plant surfaces (both tops and undersides of leaves)
   6. Reapply on a 7-14 days schedule depending on present infestations

6. Recipe 2

   1. 1 and ½ teaspoons of Neem oil.
   2. 4 cups of distilled water
   3. 2 tsp of Emulsifier (Castile soap) to help mix the oil in water evenly.
   4. Pour it on the soil under the plant

Careful not to spray too much on the leaves as that puts the plants at risk from leaf burn.