Will neem hurt my bees?

[BAH]

Got some bugs on my potatoes, think it is the flea beetle. Says you can use neem oil to kill that and many other pest. Even read that bees will not get hurt, as long if it is not used in concentrate form. So has anyone else used neem oil on plants in the garden? Thx

[blanc]

If you read the label yes it will. Organic gardener here and wanted to use it last year but looking and precautions on label it does warn about bees. Try googling organic sprays for home brews that work pretty good or mix dishwashing liquid of about tablespoon to gal water and spray to chase them away.
Blanc

[Haddon]

soapy water will kill bees to blanc

I have used and like neem I dont know what it will do on potato bugs but I would try. It can and will kill bees so just dont spray it on blooming plants.

[Dee]

How many beetles are there? If only a few don't worry about them the potatoes will be OK. A trap crop like radishes close to the potatoes grow fast and the beetles are attracted to the new young growth.

Neem oil can be phytotoxic to plants if not used on cloudy days or in the shade.


Dee

[BAH]

It is raining here and will be for quite sometime. I was told to try a soapy solution with alcohol first and see if that will keep them off. Think I will try it first. If the problem continues I will try the neem. Just hate to chance it for some potatoes that would be easily replaced. Thx guys for you valued opinions!

[BAH]

Decided to check on that neem one more time  ;) and found this;
Neem oil is not known to be harmful to mammals, birds, earthworms or some beneficial insects such as butterflies, honey bees and ladybugs if it is not concentrated directly into their area of habitat or on their food source.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Neem_oil

Still debating... I will go read the manufacturer's label and see if my mind is made up :roll:

[marliah]

Not sure on neem, but a great remedy for potato bugs is wheat germ. My mom used it all the time while i was growing up. Sprinkle it around your potato plants and the potato beetles love it. They eat it, go drink some water and explode because of the expanding. Works great!