Milky spore japanese beetles9/1/2023 ![]() I try to discourage people from this practice because traps with pheromone lures will bring beetles in from five miles away, meaning that you have more beetles. Some people will use traps to kill Japanese beetles. Using milky spore to kill the grubs doesn’t mean that you won’t have any Japanese beetles the following year, but you can significantly reduce the population that is present in your area. It only works on grubs, so applying it while the beetles are out eating leaves won’t kill any Japanese beetles. The grubs must ingest the milky spore for it to be work. Soil temperatures need to be over 65 for milky spore to be effective. The third time to control Japanese beetles would be in the spring with another milky spore application. September is the optimal time to make a milky spore application. It’s a bacteria that feeds on Japanese beetle grubs after they ingest it. Milky spore is an organic product that can be used to kill grubs in the ground. Even as grubs they can do damage to turf by feeding on the roots. By that time of year all the Japanese beetles are grubs living in the soil. The second time to control Japanese beetles is in September. Knock Japanese beetles off plants into the cup and they will drown. If you don’t have a heavy infestation you can also use a cup with soapy water in it. You can use carbaryl, which is the active ingredient in Sevin to control adults. The most obvious is when they are adults and are out feeding on leaves. There are three times a year that are most ideal for controlling Japanese beetles. After hatching, the beetles live in the soil until they come back out as adults in May. The females will lay eggs for most of their adult life. Usually the adults, which are the beetles that we see flying around eating leaves, will begin to appear in May – June. Thankfully, Japanese beetles only have a single generation each year. ![]() The spores grow and reproduce in the soil, reaching peak. Milky spore is a naturally occurring microscopic bacteria that feeds on beetle larvae. They’ll eat everything between the leaf vein, but leave the veins. Japanese beetles, June bugs, masked chafers. The damage that you see from them looks like skeletonizing of the leaves. Japanese beetles also have a row of five white dots along the side of the abdomen that can be used to differentiate them from other beetles. Around here, milky spore disease doesn't work very well at controlling these pesky beetles: It's specific for JB grub (larvae) control, and many lawns don't even have grubs, even though fruits, vegetables, and ornamentals on the property have suffered a serious JB infestation that season. June beetles are typically about 1.5 to twice as large as Japanese beetles. ![]() ![]() They have a metallic green color on their abdomen. Thus, the first Japanese Beetle insecticide was born. After some testing, they realized that the bacteria caused disease at the larva stage. During some research, scientists found larvae coated in the stuff. Feeding on such a wide range of plants means that your yard may look like an all you can eat buffet to them. Milky spore is a naturally occurring bacteria called Bacillus popilliae. They will feed on a wide range of ornamentals, fruit trees, vegetables, and shade trees. They have spread to much of the East coast and across the Mississippi River. Let’s talk about some strategies for lessening their impact. Controlling them can be challenging because they are such voracious eaters. They are a huge pest as they munch their way through your yard. They are in west Georgia and will begin emerging here soon. ![]() As you can tell, I’m not a big fan of using milky spore disease powder: it’s too expensive for the minimal control it achieves.The Japanese beetles will soon be out in full force. Remember too that Japanese beetles in your landscape may be flying in from your neighbors’ untreated lawn or pasture. Even if you apply the disease spores properly in mid- to late summer, it takes a couple of years to become effective. At this time of year, grubs are digging deeper into the soil preparing to go dormant for winter. You must also have an active population of Japanese beetles in the first few inches of your soil. The soil temperature map for Georgia, shows that soil in your area is rapidly cooling. Milky spore disease works best when soil temperatures are above 65 degrees. Even if you do have Japanese beetles, it’s getting really late to apply it. Milky spore disease does not control chafer beetle grubs. Japanese beetles are not typically attracted to lights but chafer beetles are. This is an OMRI certified organic control of Japanese beetle grub control that is safe to use with other herbicides and insecticides that is safe to use around birds, bees, pets and fish and around pools and ponds. Q: Is it to late to apply milky spore this fall? I had lots of beetles flying around my outdoor lights in summer.Ī: Your first step is to identify the beetles you saw around the lights. Milky Spore Powder is a natural, safe, effective grub control product that can remain in the soil for up to 10 years. ![]()
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