Milky Spore Powder

Milky Spore is a bacterium, Bacillus popillae, which is lethal primarily for Japanese beetle grubs. Once applied, it can remain in the soil for many years. In warm climates, good control of the Japanese beetle can occur in one to three years; in cooler climates, three to five years.

The life cycle of the Japanese beetle includes the immature beetle, called a grub. It stays in the soil of your yard and garden, feeding on the roots of your grass and other vegetation. Once Milky Spore is applied, the grubs ingest it as a normal part of their feeding. The more spores are in the area, the greater the chance of infection. Each infected grub dies within approximately 3 weeks and releases new spores.

Milky Spore is not affected by freezing or other adverse environmental conditions. Milky Spore is not generally affected by most fertilizers, pesticides, herbicides and other lawn chemicals.

Milky Spore Powder is considered harmless to food crops. It may be used in gardens, around pools and near wells. Milky Spore is not known to affect pets, beneficial insects, fish, bees, birds, other animals, plants, or man.

Milky Spore’s effectiveness can be enhanced by the use of NemaSeek.  This beneficial nematode, while unharmed by Milky Spore, picks it up and spreads if further as the nematode seeks out other harmful grubs, weevils and larvae in your soil.

Apply Milky Spore dry, then water in the NemaSeek for complimentary control of pests in your soil.

Milky Spore has unlimited shelf life as long as it is stored in a cool dry place.

Application and Rates: Using the All-Purpose Dispenser tube with the following directions makes the measuring easy. All you have to do is walk!

Apply 1 teaspoon (approximately one sprinkle) of Milky Spore powder on top of grass in spots every 4 feet in rows 4 feet apart. Treat your lawn any season of the year as long as the ground is not frozen. Water lightly after application to soak Milky Spore into the soil. Watering for 15-20 minutes with a sprayer should be sufficient. You can wait 36 to 48 hours before watering in Milky Spore, but do not mow or rake your yard until Milky Spore has been soaked into the soil.  Don’t worry if there is a white residue left; it is the chalk carrier for Milky Spore. Areas between the spots will be inoculated naturally.

Ingredients: Bacillus popillae, 100million per gram of calcium carbonate.

Why Restrictions? All products labeled as pesticides, whether the product is natural, organic or man-made, are regulated by each state. Restrictions for sale in a state occur because the manufacturer of the product chooses not to register that product there. If the product is not a pesticide, there may be other regulations that the vendor cannot easily meet having to do with labeling.

The reason for non-registration is usually economic: each state requires a fee that is paid annually, or the cost of re-labeling for just one or a few states is too high. For instance, each pesticide registered for sale in Arizona is assessed a $100 fee yearly for each size product.

If you would like this product in your state, let us know and we will communicate your interest to the manufacturer. If there is enough interest, the manufacturer may decide to register the product you want.

In the meantime, call us and we will help you find a similar product that we can substitute that is registered in your state.

Please call with any questions, toll free 1-800-827-2847.