Using Neem Oil to control carrot fly

[Orchid444]

Hi, I use neem oil to control pests in my orchid greenhouse. Has anyone tried using it to control garden pests such as carrot fly? I wondered if spraying growing plants weekly would kill eggs and newly emerging larva.

[Scarlet]

Hello Orchid and welcome to the vine. Please pop along to the introduce yourself thread - it would be lovely to hear about your orchid growin.
I've never used neem oil and would prefer to use enviromesh - it's easy to cover a bed of carrots with netting and after using enviromesh I wouldn't try anything else.
I don't think it kills eggs, although it can kill insects by blocking their breathing holes if they have been sprayed with it. It is systemic, the bugs feed on the plant, the bug taes it in and will stop feeding. It can stop them mating. I think you would need to apply it weekly.
Personally I think enviromesh is the better option, though I'm sure other will be along with different ideas

[Alison]

I'd agree that enviromesh is the way to go, really easy and doesn't need reapplying. I'd be concerned what the neem oil was doing to other beneficial insects but admittedly know very little about it.

[Kristen]

I use Neem oil for red spider and the like or my ornamentals.

Enviromesh is a better way to go for Carrot Fly.