98p wonder oil can kill bugs harming houseplants

Houseplant pests are attracted to foliage for food and shelter, but they can cause lasting damage to the plant’s health if left unchecked.

Although good growing conditions and a regular watering schedule can prevent bugs from coming in, there may be easier ways to repel bugs.

One expert recommends treating your plant with a homemade solution to create an uninhabitable environment for bugs and their eggs.

Scandi lifestyle expert at Contura, Catharina Björkman, explained: “There’s nothing more demoralising than finding your previously healthy plant is being destroyed by bugs. This doesn’t mean the end for your plant though!”

The expert continued: “Neem oil is an effective and natural way to kill bugs and flies that are a little too interested in your precious plants.

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“The best thing about this wonder oil is that it only kills insects that eat plants and doesn’t harm any beneficial bugs.

“It can also be used as a soil drench to kill pesky fungus gnats, that live and breed in the potting soil of indoor plants which, as mentioned are a common complaint of houseplants without adequate drainage. 

The oil is composed of several components but the most active compound is the azadirachtin, which acts as a repellent.

One of the ways it works on bugs is by interfering with the hormone system, which in turn makes it harder for them to grow and lay eggs.

This is why the oil is also commonly used as a natural alternative nit treatment and is deemed one of the most efficient.

Experts at Planet Natural confirm that the smell of neem oil alone will repel the insects, which is why it is often used in commercially sold insect repellents.

For the best results, Björkman recommends combining the ingredients as follows: “Create a homemade insecticide using 1 ½ tsp neem oil concentrate with one tsp milk liquid soap and 1 litre of tepid water.

“Put all the ingredients into a spray bottle, shake well and spritz your plans from top to bottom once a week. For use as a soil soap, simply spray both the plant and soil.”

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