Neem Flakes work by introducing azadirachtin — a natural compound — into the soil and growing medium. Azadirachtin disrupts the hormonal systems of insects and nematodes, preventing them from feeding, moulting, and reproducing. It does not kill on contact. It removes the conditions that allow pest populations to grow.
Add neem flakes directly into your potting mix at 1–2% by volume — approximately 50g per 5 litres of mix. Combine thoroughly with cocopeat, vermicompost, and cow manure before filling containers. This creates a pest-resistant growing medium from the start.
Pro Tip: For plants with a history of root mealy bugs or fungus gnats, increase to 2% and ensure neem is mixed evenly throughout the medium.
Sprinkle 20–30g of neem flakes around the base of established plants and gently fork into the top 3–4cm of soil. Water in well. The flakes will slowly release azadirachtin into the root zone over several weeks as they decompose.
Spread neem flakes across the bed at 50–100g per square metre. Dig or fork into the top 10–15cm of soil before planting. This provides season-long protection against soil-borne pests and nematodes throughout the root zone.
For established garden beds, apply neem flakes as a surface dressing and water in. This is most effective as a preventive measure — apply before pest pressure appears rather than after an infestation is established.
Note: Neem works over 2–4 weeks. Do not expect immediate visible results — the pest population reduction is gradual as the hormonal disruption takes effect through the pest life cycle.