NSKE & 5% Neem Spray, Made Right
Protects vegetables
Enter spray volume and strength to get the neem seed kernel, soap and water for your batch, plus tanks and kernel per tank — a low-cost botanical insecticide, by the numbers.
Mix a Neem Seed Kernel Extract
Next: soak 10 kg of crushed kernels overnight, filter through cloth, stir in 200 g of soap as an emulsifier, top up to 200 L and spray fresh the same day — preferably in the cool of evening.
NSKE degrades within hours of mixing, so prepare only what you'll spray that day. Azadirachtin content varies by kernel quality and storage — use sound, well-dried kernels for full potency.
NSKE — key facts
- Kernel needed
- spray volume × strength
- Common strength
- 5% (5 kg/100 L)
- Per litre
- ≈ 50 g kernel at 5%
- Soap
- ≈ 1% as emulsifier
- Soak
- overnight, then filter
- Spray
- fresh, in the evening
- Repeat
- every 7–10 days
- Privacy
- Runs in your browser; nothing uploaded
A cheap, safe spray you make from the neem tree
Neem seed kernel extract is one of the oldest and most accessible crop protectants there is: crush the kernels, soak them in water overnight, filter, add a little soap, and you have a spray that deters and disrupts a wide range of pests without the cost or residue of synthetic chemicals. The catch is getting the strength right — too weak and it does nothing, too rich and you waste precious kernel. A standard 5% extract is the trusted starting point.
This tool turns your spray volume and chosen strength into the kernel, soap and water to weigh out, the number of tanks and the kernel per tank. Use it to scale a batch for a knapsack or a whole field, mix to a consistent strength every time, and spray fresh in the evening for best effect. Pair it with the Neem Oil Spray, Neem Cake Application and Bordeaux Mixture tools for a full botanical protection plan.
Mix to 5%
Right kernel-to-water strength every batch.
Scale any tank
Kernel per tank for knapsack or field.
Add soap right
Emulsifier so it mixes and sticks.
Spray fresh
Make it the same day, spray in the evening.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Neem Seed Kernel Extract (NSKE)?+
NSKE is a low-cost botanical insecticide made by soaking crushed neem seed kernels in water overnight, then filtering and adding a little soap as an emulsifier. The water pulls out azadirachtin and related compounds that deter feeding, disrupt moulting and reduce egg-laying in many pests. It's cheap, made on-farm and safe to use when handled sensibly — a staple of organic and IPM programmes.
What does 5% NSKE mean and how do I make it?+
5% NSKE means 5 kg of neem seed kernel per 100 litres of water — 50 g per litre. Crush the kernels coarsely, tie them in a cloth and soak overnight in water, then squeeze and filter out the solids. Add about 1% soap solution as an emulsifier so the extract mixes and sticks, top up to the final volume, and spray fresh.
Why add soap to NSKE?+
Soap acts as an emulsifier and spreader-sticker. Neem's active oils don't mix with water on their own, so the soap helps the extract disperse evenly, wet the leaf surface and cling to it instead of beading off. A common rate is roughly 1% soap solution (about 1 part soap per 100 parts spray). Use a plain, non-detergent soap and avoid harsh additives.
How much kernel do I need?+
Kernel needed = spray volume × strength. At 5% (50 g/L), a 100 L spray needs 5 kg of kernel; a 15 L knapsack tank needs about 750 g. This tool multiplies your total spray volume by the strength you choose and also splits it across tanks, so you can weigh out the kernel per tank as you refill.
Why soak overnight and spray fresh?+
Overnight soaking (8–12 hours) gives time for the active compounds to leach from the crushed kernels into the water. Once made, NSKE breaks down quickly — especially in sunlight — so spray it the same day, ideally in the cool of the evening. Storing it for days loses potency, so make only as much as you'll use.
When and how often should I spray NSKE?+
Spray in the evening or early morning to avoid UV breakdown and heat, covering both leaf surfaces where pests feed. Because NSKE is preventive and acts slowly through deterrence and growth disruption, repeat every 7–10 days and after rain, and start early before pest numbers build. It fits well in a rotation with other IPM measures.
Which pests does NSKE work on?+
It deters and disrupts a wide range of soft-bodied and chewing pests — aphids, jassids, whiteflies, thrips, mites, caterpillars and many leaf-feeding larvae — by putting them off feeding, interfering with moulting and reducing egg-laying. It's less of an instant knockdown and more a population suppressor, so it shines used early and regularly within IPM.
Is NSKE safe?+
NSKE is among the safer crop protection options: it breaks down quickly, is gentle on many beneficial insects when used at recommended rates and timing, and leaves minimal residue. Still, handle it sensibly — wear basic protection while mixing and spraying, keep it off your skin and eyes, and follow good spray hygiene. Test on a few plants first if you're unsure.
Are the figures precise?+
They're solid preparation figures from your spray volume and chosen strength. Real performance depends on kernel quality and freshness, azadirachtin content, soaking time, water quality and spray coverage. Use good fresh kernels, spray fresh in the evening, and adjust strength and frequency to your pest pressure — treat the outputs as a reliable recipe to scale by.