How do I use neem oil spray on plants in the UAE?
Neem oil is pressed from the seed of the neem tree, the same Azadirachta indica planted along UAE roads, and it works in two ways: the oil smothers soft-bodied insects on contact, and its active compound, azadirachtin, disrupts feeding and moulting in the ones that survive. It is slow rather than instant, which is why a single spray never clears an infestation.
Our Neem Oil Pest Spray is ready to use. Shake it, spray until the leaves are wet but not dripping, and spend most of the time on the undersides and the joints where leaves meet stems, because that is where mealybug and whitefly nymphs sit. Spray in the evening, once the sun is off the plant, and let it work overnight; how to recognise each pest, and why heat changes the rules here, is in our guide to UAE plant pests.
Neem works best as part of a routine rather than on its own. Wipe or rinse off what you can see first, move the affected plant away from the others, and keep spraying for the full three weeks even if it looks clean after the first round, because eggs laid before you started are still hatching. For scale insects, scrape the bumps off first: the spray cannot get through their shells.
Can I make my own neem oil spray at home?
Yes, but neem oil does not mix with water by itself. A common home mix is about 5ml (one teaspoon) of cold-pressed neem oil and a few drops of mild liquid soap, which acts as an emulsifier, in one litre of lukewarm water. Mix it fresh each time, shake it well and keep shaking while you spray, because the oil separates. Home mixes vary in strength, so patch-test a leaf first; a ready-to-use spray takes the guesswork out.
Which plants should I not spray with neem oil?
Test first on anything with fuzzy or velvety leaves, and avoid succulents with a powdery coating on their leaves, because the spray washes the coating off and it does not grow back. Do not spray seedlings, or a plant that is wilting or freshly repotted: water a stressed plant and treat it the next day. Keep the spray off open flowers, and spray at dusk, when bees have stopped foraging.
Is neem oil spray safe to use on herbs and vegetables?
Our spray is labelled for use on edibles up to harvest, so herbs, tomatoes and strawberries on a balcony can be treated. Spray them in the evening like any other plant, and wash anything you pick thoroughly before eating it. Keep children and pets away from treated plants until the spray has dried.