How to Make an Insecticide

Contributor

By Rose Kivi
eHow Contributing Writer

Article Rating: (4 Ratings)

Neem oil based insecticides have been proven useful in commercial agricultural settings as well as for home use. Neem oil is derived from the neem tree (Azadirachta indica) and contains compounds that are harmful to insects but non-toxic to humans and plants. The Environmental Protection Agency reports that neem oil does not pose any health threats to humans. Neem oil acts as an insect deterrent and disrupts the neurological processes in insects, causing them eventual death. Unlike with toxic chemical insecticides, neem oil based organic insecticides do not kill insects on contact. The effects of neem insecticides are gradual and seen, on average, after a week of application. By making your own organic neem oil insecticide at home, you can be sure that you are using a safe insecticide that does not contain toxic cancer causing chemicals.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

Measuring cup that measures in liters and milliliters
Funnel
Clean 2 liter soda bottle with cap
1 liter warm water
2 milliliters liquid castile soap
20 milliliters pure or crude neem oil
Spray bottle

Step 1

Pour 1 liter of warm water through a funnel into a clean 2-liter soda bottle.
Step 2

Add 2 milliliters of liquid castile soap to the warm water.
Step 3

Close the cap onto the soda bottle and shake the mixture vigorously for one minute or until the warm water and liquid castile soap are thoroughly combined.
Step 4

Remove the cap from the soda bottle and pour 20 milliliters of pure or crude neem oil into the soapy water mixture. Pure neem oil solidifies at cold temperatures. If the neem has solidified, place the bottle of neem in a bowl of warm water until it liquefies.
Step 5

Replace the cap on the soda bottle and vigorously shake the bottle to combine the neem oil with the soapy water.
Step 6

Pour the finished mixture through a funnel into a spray bottle. Shake the mixture before use. To use the neem insecticide, spray on top of and underneath each leaf you wish to treat.

Tips & Warnings

The castile soap is an insect deterrent by itself but harmless to plants. The soap is an emulsifier that makes combining the neem and water possible. Neem oil insecticide preparations are not stable. For best results, do not add the neem oil to the soapy water until just before use.
Neem oil is toxic to honey bees and fish---avoid using the neem insecticide in areas where it could run off into bodies of water inhabited by fish or when honey bees are present.