Milky Spore is the bacterium Paenibacillus popilliae (formerly Bacillus popillae). This bacillus is primarily lethal to Japanese Beetle grubs. The life cycle of the Japanese beetle includes the immature beetle, called a grub. The grubs inhabit the soil of your lawn 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 that 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.
- 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 beneficial nematodes - specifically NemaSeek. This beneficial nematode is unharmed by Milky Spore and helps spread it as the nematode moves into the soil pursuing grubs, weevils and larvae in your soil. Apply Milky Spore dry, then water in the NemaSeek for complementary control of pests in your soil.
Additional Information:
This Product Controls These Pests or Diseases: Japanese beetle (Popillia japonica Newman)
Many controls for pest insects require repeated applications with no end to it in sight. Milky Spore, however, has the added benefit of inoculating the soil after several applications. What this means is that the soil will carry enough of the bacillus that any grubs that hatch in the area will not survive. Depending upon your climate, fully inoculating the soil can take between 1 and 5 years:
- In warm climates inoculation requires 1 – 3 years.
- In colder climates inoculation requires 3 – 5 years.
Inoculated soil remains so for about 20 years. Please note that Milky Spore begins working as soon as applied so long as grubs are feeding. This means spring and autumn applications of Milky Spore are most effective because the grubs are most active at that time. Don't forget that beneficial nematodes are great for seasonal control of the Japanese Beetle. They are effective on a broad range of in-soil pest insects and they will help to more effectively distribute the powder form of Milky Spore.
How to Make the Applications:
Place 1 teaspoon of Milky Spore Powder every 4 feet so that you create of grid of the powder. Water in thoroughly.
If you are using beneficial nematodes for grub control, apply them with water - after you have put the Milky Spore out. The beneficial nematodes will help disperse the bacillus throughout the soil. Refer to the Application Rates below for recommended treatment area.
Environment: Outdoors, Crops, Orchards & Vineyards, Nursery, Greenhouse, Container Plants
Application Rate:
- 10 oz treats 2,500 square feet.
- 40 oz treats 10,000 square feet.
Storage: Store in original container.
SKU 1216050 ships via UPS Ground only.
Cannot Be Shipped To: CA,OR,WA
Warning & Toxicities:
Do not inhale any powders.
Shelf Life: Indefinite when stored in a cool, dry place.
Active Ingredients/Guaranteed Analysis:
0.02%.....Paenibacillus popilliae*
* Equivalent to 1x108 spores per gram
