Overview. Milky Spore targets and kills Japanese beetle grubs, a familiar destructive pest, before they can grow into adult beetles. At the immature stage, Japanese beetle grubs feed on the roots of lawns, turf, and other grassy areas.
What is Milky Spore made of?
Milky Spore uses the naturally occurring bacterium, Paenibacillus popilliae. This bacillus primarily targets Japanese Beetle grubs, the soil-dwelling larval stage, before they become the destructive adults. These grubs target lawn and garden soil, causing unsightly damage to turf and crop loss where they are active.
Is Milky Spore effective?
Milky spore disease is a bacterium that was initially referred to as Bacillus popillae, but it is now known as Paenibacillus popillae. The bacterium is applied to turfgrass as a dust. It is effective only in controlling Japanese beetle grubs; it has virtually no activity on other grub species.
How often should you apply Milky Spore?
Milky spore powder is typically applied in a matrix pattern, a teaspoonful every four feet in rows four feet apart. Some newer formulations allow for application through a drop spreader. It is much easier to apply but must be applied three times a year for two years as opposed to just once.
Can you apply too much milky spore?
Answer: Per St. Gabriel the manufacturer, you can never put too much down. You can switch to the Milky Spore Powder. you want to apply 1 tsp every 4 feet.
How long does it take milky spore to work?
Milky Spore Powder begins working as soon as it is applied as long as grubs are feeding. Once grubs are infected they will multiply the spore by several billion times and spread it further. In warm climates good control can occur in one to three years. In colder areas, it may take three to five years.
Is milky spore harmful to humans?
Milky spore disease is specific for Japanese beetles and it won’t harm humans, other animals, or plants. It is safe to use on lawn and ornamental plants as well as vegetable gardens. There is no risk of contamination due to runoff into bodies of water and you can use it near wells.
Do you need to water in milky spore?
Milky Spore Powder does need to be watered into the soil with rainfall or irrigation after application, so rainfall actually helps the Milky Spore to reach the grubs in the soil.
Is milky spore bad for the environment?
Milky spore is a bacteria that is used to control Japanese beetles and similar species. Since it is a completely natural material, it does not adversely affect pets, humans or the environment.
Will milky spore get rid of moles?
The best long-term control is Milky Spore. Safe for the environment, this natural spore is harmless to fish, birds, bees, animals, plants and people. It kills grubs in the soil and remains active in the soil for up to 15 years. This is a great long-term solution for moles.
How do you know if you have grubs in your lawn?
Signs of Grubs in Lawn
Grass with damaged roots will begin to thin, yellow, and die.Irregular patches of brown grass will appear in random places in your lawn.Grass will feel very spongy and will pull up very easily. Grass will be very vulnerable to drought and other stressors.
What is the best time of year to apply milky spore?
Step 1: Apply in early fall
Grubs have to eat milky spore for it to infect them, so the best time to apply milky spore is in early fall when grubs feed most actively. You can apply milky spore in spring and summer, as well, because grubs are present pretty much any time the ground isn’t frozen.
What is the shelf life of milky spore?
Milky Spore has unlimited shelf life as long as it is stored in a cool dry place.
Can I use milky spore and grubex?
The Grubex will not make the spore itself ineffective, it will just hinder the spreading process until more grubs appear. 7 of 7 people found this answer helpful.
Can milky spore be applied with fertilizer?
No, Milky Spore is not affected by fertilizers, pesticides, herbicides or other lawn chemicals. They may all be applied at the same time.
Can you use a broadcast spreader for milky spore granules?
Milky spore powder is very fine, and cannot be spread with a broadcast spreader. A drop spreader places milky spore on the lawn in spots where it will be watered into the soil and moved through it by Japanese beetle grubs.
How do you spread granular milky spore?
Instructions
Fill the drop spreader with the Milky Spore Granular.Apply uniformly over the treatment area. Spread over the treatment area at the rate of 1 lb per 350 sq. Water the treated area and/or apply beneficial nematodes within 24 hours of application to soak spores into the soil.
