Question
I read your article on neem oil as a pest repellent.  I like neem, but it is too smelly for me to stand, so what I have done is buy neem meal, then I take those bubble waterers, push them into the neem meal to get some stuck in the end, push the neem into the bubble, then add water and insert it into the plant for a slow neem application.  Do you think this would be as effective as using neemn oil?

Answer
Gayla,

That will not work. It is not a systemic insecticide or fungicide. It acts on the outside of the plant. You can mix a bit of perfume in with it to hide the offensive odor or you can take the plant outside to spray it on and then leave it outside until the offensive odor dissipates.

Your other option is a product called summer oil or all season Horticulture Oil. Bonide 109115 32 oz Concentrate All Seasons Horticultural Spray Oil is one of the all season Horticulture Oils. Below is a list of times not to use Horticulture Oils.

When Not to Use Horticultural Oil
旸uring Extremely High Temperature: Do not apply horticultural oil when temperatures are about 100 degrees F. (38 degrees C.) Stressed plants, particularly drought stressed plants are more susceptible to hort oil damage.

旸uring Freezing Temperatures: Do not apply horticultural oil in freezing temperature because the emulsion doesn抰 hold together and coverage is uneven.

昗hen Plants are Wet or During High Humidity: Applying horticultural oil in damp conditions decreases the rate of evaporation and puts the foliage at risk of burning.

旸uring the Fall: For some reason, spraying with horticultural oil in the fall puts plants at increased risk for winter damage and dieback.

昗here Sulfur or Pesticides Containing Sulfur have Been Used in the Passed 30 Days. Sulfur and hort oil combined is a toxic combination for plants.

昈n Plants Known to be Sensitive to Horticultural Oil. You will usually find a good list on the back label of package.

You can also make your onw mix of plant spray, 1 quart of water,1 teaspoon of dish detergent and 1 teaspoon of baby oil. The oil acts as a smothering agent to insects coating them with oil on contact. However i feeel that adding a bit of perfume to your neem oil spray would be your best bet. If you have more questions feel free to write again. Good luck.

Darlene