by Chris R.W.

Created on: March 06, 2010   Last Updated: March 07, 2010

Milky Spore is a bacterium that combats infestations of Japanese Beetles, especially targeting them at their larval stage when they are commonly known as white grubs.  Milky Spore is actually the disease the bacterium causes in the Japanese Beetle grubs, and this is what makes the Milky Spore product work.  

There's no need for chemical pesticides in this product, it is a completely natural solution to beetle infestations, and therefore is a very safe option for you to use.  No need to worry about harmful effects of chemicals to you or any other "good" insects in your garden.  The bacteria only affects the Japanese Beetles, as it is a sort of parasite that feeds on the larval of the beetle.  This is extremely beneficial as it takes all the worry out of applying chemicals to your garden, because there simply are no dangerous chemicals involved.  However, if the problem extends beyond presence of Japanese Beetles, be it a different species of beetle, or you have other pests in your garden that need to be controlled as well, you should be aware that Milky Spore will only kill off the Japanese Beetle population.

Milky Spore can be bought from a variety of different manufacturers, in varying packages and forms, but essentially when you buy it you are getting the same thing.  What makes the Milky Spore product work against Japanese Beetles is the bacterium within it, so keep that in mind when looking at different brands and packagings.  It should all be the same stuff inside no matter what, there's no need to spend any extra money unless you have specific needs that go beyond the basic product.

You should plan on applying Milky Spore to the soil in August, as this is the period in which the eggs have hatched into larva and are descending into the soil.  At this time the larva (or grubs) are feeding on roots in the soil.  Milky Spores are therefore consumed by the larva and within a few weeks the larva are killed before reaching adulthood, and therefore eliminating their chance to reproduce.

One drawback of Milky Spore is that it does not have immediate effects, and will take at least a year or two to get the beetle population under control.  That's just how it works, by targeting the young larva and cutting off future adult populations.  It's very effective and safe, it just is not an instant solution to beetle infestations.

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