Spring and summer bring beautiful blooms and lush foliage to your crepe myrtle trees, but they also bring unwanted pests and insects that can wreak havoc on your beloved plants.
While there are many options for controlling infestations, one natural solution that has gained popularity in recent years is neem oil.
But can neem oil be used on crepe myrtles?
The answer is yes!
In fact, neem oil is a safe and effective way to control overwintering insects, mites, and some diseases on your crepe myrtles and other trees, shrubs, and ground cover.
In this article, we’ll explore the benefits of using neem oil on crepe myrtles and how to properly apply it for optimum health in the spring.
Can Neem Oil Be Used On Crepe Myrtles?
Neem oil is a natural pesticide derived from the seeds of the Azadirachta indica tree, which is commonly found in South Asia and India. It has anti-fungal and pesticide properties that make it an effective solution for controlling pests and diseases on your crepe myrtles.
Neem oil works as a systemic insecticide when used as a soil drench. It can control aphids, mealybugs, scale, whiteflies, and many more insects. It can also be used as a fungicide to control powdery mildew, root rot, black spot, and sooty mold. Additionally, it can control mites and has some effect on nematodes in the soil.
When using neem oil on your crepe myrtles, it’s important to follow label instructions and be sure to coat the surface of all leaves. You can find neem oil in wax, oil, and soap forms, but for gardeners, the oil form is recommended.
To apply neem oil to your crepe myrtles, you will need a pump-action sprayer with at least a 1-gallon capacity and a long reach wand. Dilute the neem oil concentrate according to the instructions that come with the bottle. When spraying, direct the spray to the underside of leaves as that is where aphids do most of their feeding.
It’s also recommended to remove low hanging branches that interfere with walkways, remove broken and dead branches, remove crossover or rubbing branches, remove sucker growth off the base of the trunk or on the trunk, and remove any branches growing into your home structure. Old seed heads do not need to be pruned as they will fall off naturally.
What Is Neem Oil And How Does It Work?
Neem oil is a natural pesticide that works by suffocating insects or disrupting how they feed. It is effective against soft-bodied pests such as aphids, beetle larvae, caterpillars, leaf hoppers, mealybugs, thrips, spider mites, and whiteflies. Neem oil prevents new spores from germinating and combats fungal diseases such as powdery mildew and blackspot.
When neem oil is used as a soil drench, it works as a systemic insecticide that controls a variety of pests and diseases. It can also control mites and has some effect on nematodes in the soil. Neem oil is safe for humans and animals when used properly, but it is toxic to fish and other aquatic creatures.
To use neem oil on your crepe myrtles, dilute the concentrate according to the instructions and apply it using a pump-action sprayer with a long reach wand. Be sure to cover all parts of the plant, including the undersides of leaves where pests can hide and lay eggs. It’s important to follow label instructions and avoid harming beneficial insects and water habitats by applying the spray carefully.
Common Pests And Diseases That Affect Crepe Myrtles
Crepe myrtles are generally trouble-free small trees, but they can be susceptible to a few common pests and diseases. Here are some of the most common issues that may affect your crepe myrtles:
1. Powdery Mildew: This is a fungal disease that appears as a white powdery coating on the leaves, stems, and flowers of the plant. It can cause leaves to curl and distort and may lead to premature leaf drop. To control powdery mildew, you can spray your crepe myrtles with neem oil or a fungicide labeled for use on this disease.
2. Cercospora Leaf Spot: This is another fungal disease that causes brownish-purple spots on the leaves of crepe myrtles. The spots may have a yellow halo around them and can cause defoliation in severe cases. To control cercospora leaf spot, you can prune affected branches and spray with a fungicide labeled for use on this disease.
3. Aphids: These tiny insects feed on the sap of crepe myrtle leaves and can cause them to curl and distort. They also produce honeydew, which attracts ants and can lead to the growth of sooty mold. To control aphids, you can blast them off with a hose or spray with neem oil or an insecticidal soap.
4. Japanese Beetles: These shiny green-black beetles feed on the leaves and flowers of crepe myrtles and can cause significant damage if left unchecked. They can be controlled with insecticides like carbaryl or imidacloprid, but these chemicals can harm beneficial insects like bees and butterflies. Japanese beetle traps placed 50 feet away from your bushes can help cut the population down.
5. Sooty Mold: This is a black fungus that grows on honeydew produced by aphids and other sap-sucking insects. It does not directly harm the plant but can block sunlight from reaching the leaves and reduce photosynthesis. To control sooty mold, you need to control the underlying pest problem.
In addition to these pests and diseases, crepe myrtles may also be susceptible to scale insects, spider mites, root rot, and other issues. Regular monitoring and proactive treatment with neem oil or other appropriate pesticides can help keep your crepe myrtles healthy and looking their best.
Advantages Of Using Neem Oil On Crepe Myrtles
There are several advantages to using neem oil on your crepe myrtles. Firstly, neem oil is a safe and non-toxic pesticide for your garden and landscape that is also friendly to the environment. When used properly, it is non-toxic to humans and animals, and studies have shown that beneficial insects such as bees, butterflies, and ladybugs are safe since neem oil does not target bugs that do not chew on leaves. No residue is left in the soil, making it an environmentally friendly option.
Secondly, neem oil is effective in controlling a wide range of pests and diseases that can affect your crepe myrtles. It works as a systemic insecticide when used as a soil drench, which means it can control pests like aphids, mealybugs, scale, whiteflies, and many more insects. It can also be used as a fungicide to control powdery mildew, root rot, black spot, and sooty mold. Additionally, it can control mites and has some effect on nematodes in the soil.
Thirdly, using neem oil on your crepe myrtles during the dormant season can provide long-term benefits throughout the spring and summer. By treating with neem oil during the dormant season, you can control overwintering insects and mites and prevent them from damaging your crepe myrtles in the spring.
How To Properly Apply Neem Oil To Crepe Myrtles
To properly apply neem oil to your crepe myrtles, follow these steps:
1. Identify the pests or diseases you want to control. Neem oil is effective against soft-bodied pests such as aphids, beetle larvae, caterpillars, leaf hoppers, mealybugs, thrips, spider mites, and whiteflies. It can also control fungal diseases such as powdery mildew and blackspot.
2. Dilute the neem oil concentrate according to the instructions on the bottle. Typically, you will need to mix 1-2 tablespoons of oil per gallon of water.
3. Fill your pump-action sprayer with the diluted neem oil solution.
4. Direct the spray to the underside of leaves as that is where aphids do most of their feeding. Be sure to cover all parts of the plant and spray the undersides of leaves where pests can hide and lay eggs.
5. Make sure to spray until runoff to ensure that all parts of the plant are covered.
6. Avoid harming beneficial insects and water habitats by applying the spray carefully, following all label directions for application.
7. Apply neem oil during the dormant season to control overwintering insects and diseases.
8. Remember that neem oil has no effect after it dries, so reapply as needed.
By following these steps, you can effectively control pests and diseases on your crepe myrtles using neem oil.
Precautions And Potential Side Effects Of Using Neem Oil On Crepe Myrtles
While neem oil is generally safe to use on crepe myrtles, there are some precautions and potential side effects to be aware of. First, it’s important to note that neem oil should not be ingested as it could cause fatigue, diarrhea, and vomiting. It’s also potentially harmful to fish, amphibians, and other aquatic organisms, so exercise caution when using it around ponds, lakes, and other bodies of water. Neem oil is also considered to be moderately harmful to bees, butterflies, and other beneficial bugs. To protect them, avoid spraying near known hives and only spray at dusk or in the very early morning before the pollinators are active.
Additionally, some people may have an allergic or respiratory reaction to neem oil. If you have a history of allergies or respiratory issues, it’s recommended to wear gloves and a mask when applying neem oil. It’s also important to avoid spraying on windy days as the oil can be easily carried by the wind and affect unintended areas.
Finally, while neem oil is generally safe for use on crepe myrtles, it’s important to always read and follow all label instructions and precautions. Using too much neem oil or using it improperly can harm your plants and the environment.
Other Natural Solutions For Pest And Disease Control On Crepe Myrtles.
In addition to neem oil, there are other natural solutions to control pests and diseases on your crepe myrtles. One of the most effective ways to keep your trees healthy is through cultural control. This includes proper mulching, irrigation, and pruning. Crape myrtles that receive more sun tend to have fewer infestations than those growing in the shade, so it’s best to plant them in full sun areas of your landscape.
Another natural solution is daily blasting with a garden hose on the underside of leaves to destroy whole aphid colonies. This is an environmentally friendly way to control pests and does not harm beneficial insects. Insecticidal soap or neem oil can also be used for best results, but it’s important to wait until evening to apply either or use a shade to protect your plant from potential burns.
For spider mites, treat with insecticidal soap or neem oil and wait until evening to apply either or use a shade to protect your plant from potential burns. Japanese beetles can be treated with pesticides like carbaryl, but this method can destroy local pollinators in a big way. Japanese beetle traps placed 50 feet away from your bushes can help cut the population down, and treating your yard with milky spore can help destroy grubs before they mature.
