Milky Spore Info

[Jitterbugdude]

Recently there was some discussion on using Milky Spore to kill Japanese Beetles. I used it about 20 years ago and it is very effective. There was a post (by Knucklehead I think) that had a link to Lowe's; 20# bag for $40.00. I looked in to that and also looked at Home Depot. They have 40 oz for something like $85.00. It seems Lowe's sells granulated while home Depot sells powder. The various gardening forums all say the powder is superior. No references given for that claim but from my past experience I will stick with the powder, which I plan to put down within a few weeks.

Anyone have input as to granulated vs. powder?

In the Mid-Atlantic area now is about the time to start applying.

 

[Knucklehead]

How many lbs. per acre do you put down?

 

[SmokesAhoy]

Last year was the first year I saw them, this year they own me. I've been looking into this. I'm seeing I should apply in August, middle, and should put a spoon every few feet. That won't work, I don't live on a lot. Is it possible to run the powder thru a spreader to get mass application? Do they not travel as adults far from where they pupate? I just don't see how it could work if all your neighbors don't get in on the action too, but my neighbors are cows so that's not happening.

But yeah I gotta do something, I pick and smush them but this is only controlling about 1 billionth of the population. And those bugs get more sex than anyone has a need to. Every time I kill em they are mating. They are always mating. The birds don't seem to eat them either. I was going to put down something hard core, but I don't want to risk hurting my worms or other things that make my soil so fertile.

 

[Jitterbugdude]

The powder won't work in a spreader but the granulated stuff will. I'm pretty sure that wherever they pupate is where they will grow up, live, lay eggs and repeat the cycle so if you treat your garden/field it should be pretty effective. I did 2 acres about 20 years ago and have no beetle problems. I saw some this year so I bought more Milky Spore powder that I will put down today. I should clarify: After applying Milky Spore my beetle population went down to a very small level. They were still there but not enough to hardly notice.