🌿Neem: The Natural All-Rounder for Pets, Gardens & Homemade Soap

Dee Butcher
Feb 5, 2019
2 min read

It’s that time of year again — warm days, cool days, and everything in between here in the South Island. With the unpredictable summer weather come those unwelcome little visitors: the bugs that bother our pets, nibble our gardens, and sometimes find their way indoors.

One ingredient I’ve relied on for years is neem. It’s one of those beautifully versatile, old-world remedies that fits perfectly into a natural home and garden.

🌱 What Is Neem?

Neem oil comes from the seeds of the neem tree, often called the village pharmacy in India, because every part of the plant is used. For generations, neem has been valued for its wide range of healing, cleansing, and pest-repelling properties.

🌿 Neem in the Garden

Neem shines in the garden as both a natural pesticide and a mild fertiliser. It helps control common pests while supporting healthy plant growth, making it ideal for vegetables, greenhouse crops, roses, and indoor plants.

To use neem as a spray, simply mix neem oil with warm water to help dissolve it, then top up with cold water. This creates an effective, organic bug spray that is gentle on plants, soil life, and beneficial insects when used correctly.

I’ve relied on this method for years with excellent results. I've even grated up neem soap (dog wash) and dissolved in water to make a spray!

🐾 Neem for Pets

Fleas, itchy skin, and general irritations can make life miserable for our furry family members. Neem offers a gentle, natural option for dogs, horses, rabbits, guinea pigs, and even pet rats — but never use it on cats, as they are extremely sensitive to essential oils.

A neem-based wash can help deter fleas and soothe irritated skin without the harsh chemicals found in many commercial shampoos.

🧼 Using Neem in Soapmaking

Neem is also a useful ingredient in natural soap. It adds gentle cleansing properties and mild bug-repelling benefits, making it perfect for outdoor gardeners’ soaps and pet-friendly wash bars. If you're interested, the full recipe for my neem dog wash bar is included in my soapmaking book - The Art of Natural Soapmaking for Beginners.