So I called THE authority on Japanese beetles and their grubs, Dr.Michael Klein, Adjunct Professor of Entomology at Ohio State University and former Lead Scientist for what was known for many years as the USDA"Japanese beetle lab" and is now called the "Horticultural Insects Unit". A little checking around revealed that there's quite a bit of disagreement about this stuff in the research world. They explained that they had heard great things about its ability to control the grubs of Japanese beetles in turf grass, but had also heard about recent tests indicating it may only work in the lab. But I did ask the folks at GA-who seem to carry just about every other natural pest control-why they don't carry milky spore. Tony: I don't work for Gardens Alive they simply host my Question of the Week. But I couldn't find it for sale at the Gardens Alive website, so I'm thinking it might not be that good. Mike: I have neighbors who are going to apply milky spore on their lawn to kill grubs they say applying it three times a year will rid my yard of grubs after three years. Is there something I should put in the soil to kill any remaining grubs before the sod is laid? Thank you, Our lawn was so infested with grubs that we dug the whole thing up and are having new sod put in. But how about the grass I have now? Is it too late to put down Milky Spore? When is the best time to assure it will 'take' in the soil for the long term? Thanks, OK, you have convinced me to wait until the fall to plant new grass seed. The treatment only works on juvenile grubs.Īdvice from Our Expert Q.In some areas, the soil temperature may not be at the ideal temperature during prime grub-feeding season. The soil temperature must be 65 degrees or above for the treatment to work.Grubs must ingest the bacteria and be infected by it. The treatment can take time before you see noticeable results.The Cons of Milky Spore TreatmentWhile milky spore treatment can be effective for Japanese beetle grub control, it has some downsides. Milky spore disease remains in the soil for years, so a repeat treatment isn't needed for several years. They have to ingest it-and it may be weeks, months or even a few years before you see noticeable results. Milky spore doesn't kill grubs instantly. If using a hose, make sure it is on the gentle setting.īe patient. You want the powder to soak into the soil and not wash away.
Grub control with milky spore home depot how to#
How To Apply Milky Spore DiseaseApply 1 teaspoon of milky spore powder every 4-feet in a grid pattern in your lawn. In most areas, the best time to apply milky spore is in late summer to early fall. When To Apply Milky Spore Disease?Because grubs must ingest the milky spore bacteria, milky spore powder should be applied when the grubs are most actively feeding-and when soil temperatures are 60-70 degrees F. Another sign may be birds, including robins and crows, and raccoons hunting and digging for Japanese beetle grubs in the lawn. The turf may also have a spongy feel to it. The Japanese beetle grubs feed on grass roots, causing the grass to brown and die.Ĭommon signs of grub infestation are dead patches of grass. Because they live in the soil, most people discover grub infestations by the damage that they do. What are grubs and how do I know I have them?Japanese beetle grubs are soft-bodied, c-shaped, off-white and up to 1 inch long. Read below to learn more about what is milky spore, milky spore treatment, how to apply milky spore powder and other tips for milky spore grub control. When grubs ingest the milky spore bacteria, they die from the infection. Milky spore, also called milky spore disease, is a naturally occurring organism in the soil. Grubs of Japanese beetles can wreak havoc on turf grass-and several natural control methods are available.
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