Monday, March 14, 2011

Neem...

Gooseberry Beetles... 

Remember these guys ????
They are Colorado Striped Potato Beetle & its larva... I have been spraying the leaves & around the base of the Cape Gooseberry plant with Neem & it appears to be doing the trick.. Even though the plant has about ½ a dozen mating pairs on it everyday I am only finding 1 or 2 larva...  It has also been suggested to turn them into Larva Pancakes by using flour to dry them out... Might give this a try on an individual Larva as I find them rather than getting the sprayer out for 1 Beastie me thinks... Tar Del... : )»(>E
 The Azadirachtin in the Neem oil stops eggs from hatching, stops the larva's ability to moult, & by inhibits their ability to feed... It has these & other detrimental effects on many other leaf eating insects... I have read that when Neem mulch or the foliage spray is applied near the roots of some plants that some Azadirachtin will be taken up & act as a deterrent to some pest...
As far as I know it isn't available as a registered pesticide here in Australia due to not meeting government standards but has been used in India for centuries as for its horticultural & general health benefits to us Ooomans... We use the soap, toothpaste, mosquito repellent, the oil as an antiseptic & in cream blends to help with rashes/eczema...
Here is a link to a QLD Government PDF download that has some useful information & "Discover Neem" has a great round up of it's broad range of uses if you feel like looking into it further...
I purchase all our Neem products from Neeming Australia but there are a few distributors around now...
Have a great one...

: )»

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