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Milky Spore Powder
Japanese Beetle & Grub Control

     The Japanese Beetle is a destructive pest that occurs in about one-sixth of the area of the United States. Its infestation extends along the east coast and spreads westward. It attacks more than 275 kinds of trees, shrubs, turf, field crops, and garden plants, and causes many millions of dollars' worth of damage every year.
     The adult beetle feeds on fruit, flowers, and foliage. The immature stage, the grub, feeds on roots and underground stems of plants, particularly grasses; when numerous, it causes serious damage to lawns and other turf areas. Both adults and grubs can be controlled by the use of insecticides. The grubs, however, are subject to several diseases. The most important is known as milky disease. It kills grubs after causing their normally clear blood to become milky in appearance.
     Milky disease was discovered in 1933 in central New Jersey and was promptly recognized as a major natural enemy of the grubs. Methods for its production and use were developed.
     Two kinds of bacteria are known to cause milky disease in grubs. They attack only members of the white grub family. Milky Spore disease affects some 47 different varieties of beetle grubs in the U.S. including June Beetle or May Fly grubs, but the Japanese beetle grub is probably the most extensively affected. Milky disease bacteria do not infect nor harm other insects, earthworms, birds, warm-blooded animals, humans, or plants. 

How Milky Disease WorksBeetle grubs burrow through the soil, feeding on roots and other vegetable matter; they take in the spores along with particles of soil and other material. The spores germinate inside the grubs, and multiply rapidly in their blood. When the bacteria become very numerous in the blood they again form spores, completing the bacterial cycle. Some diseases kill insects in a few hours or days, but the milky disease works slowly. Infected grubs may live for months after their blood has become loaded with spores, particularly if temperatures are low. Sometimes, grubs that become infected late in fall will live until spring. After spores appear in the blood, grubs usually do not develop further; they eventually die. Since moles and voles primarily feed on beetle grubs, milky disease will virtually eliminate these varmints from your lawn by removing their food.

How Milky Disease Affects Adult Beetle Populations
     Applications of spore powder to lawns and parks are most effective in reducing adult beetle populations when it is done on a community basis. When all land in a community is thoroughly inoculated with milky-disease bacteria, it usually is not possible for large numbers of grubs to survive and transform into adults. Treatment of a single homesite will protect turf from injury by grubs. It may not protect against adult beetles that fly in from gardens, orchards, untreated turf, or other untreated areas.


Milky Spore grubs visible just below the root system of turf. 
Milky Spore Frequently Asked Questions

Q. What is Milky Spore?
Milky Spore is a naturally occurring bacterium that affects Japanese Beetle, June Beetle and certain other common lawn grubs.

Q. How fast does the Spore work?
Milky Spore begins working upon application wherever grubs are feeding. Warm climates can achieve complete control in 2 to 3 years. Colder areas may require 3 to 5 years.

Q. How long does it last?
Once established in the lawn, Milky Spore lasts 15 to 20 years!

Q. Will freezing ruin the Spore? What about heavy rain?
No. Once applied Milky Spore is not affected by environmental conditions.

Q. Will fertilizer affect the Spore?
No. Milky Spore is not affected by lawn chemicals. They may all be applied at the same time.

Q. Can I use Milky Spore in the vegetable garden?
Absolutely! Milky Spore is harmless to food crops. Milky Spore may also be used on pasture land.

Q. Should children and pets be kept off the treated lawn?
No. Milky Spore is not a poison. It will not affect humans, pets, birds, fish or other beneficial insects, ponds, streams or well water.

Q. Can I mix the Spore in water and spray it?
No. Milky Spore must be applied directly in its original dry state.

Q. Can I cut my grass after applying the Spore?
No. Do not mow your grass until the Spore has been watered into the soil by rain or hose for 15 minutes or longer.

Q. What if I treat my yard and my neighbor doesn't?
Your lawn will be protected even if surrounded by untreated property. Spore will eventually spread by natural movement. 


Milky Spore being applied with Milky Spore Dispenser available below. Milky Spore being applied with homemade applicator made from coffee can and pole. Typical grid pattern employed in application of Milky Spore.