Organic Pest Control: Milky Spore

Posted by Chris Field
August 12th, 2009
Filed in Garden Pests and Diseases
Tags: lawns, organic pest control, pests

Late summer is a perfect time to treat Japanese Beetle Grubs, if you have a grub problem. During the late summer, the adults have stopped feeding, laid eggs, and the eggs have hatched into vulnerable larvae susceptible to treatment. In order to treat Japanese beetles, you need to understand their life cycles.

Japanese beetles spend part of their life cycle above ground and part of their life cycle below ground. They cause damage during both parts of their life cycle. Moles eat grubs, and in order to find them, they tunnel through the lawn. Japanese beetles, the adults, eat a wide range of plants, and often cause problems with rose bushes.

The best way to control these pests is by using Milky Spore in the lawn and soil. You need to apply it during late summer when the grubs are small. One application of Milky Spore, if well-timed, can last for up to ten years. This is an organic treatment method. Milky spore is a bacterial disease that affects the grubs.

You can also control the adults, but there are some common methods that do not work very well.
Pheremone traps are often sold in garden centers. These traps lure and kill a lot of insects, but, by their very nature, bring more pests to your lawn. You are better off without them.

The best way to eliminate Japanese beetle adults is to hand-pick them off your plants, or to vacuum them with a hand vacuum. Drop them in soapy water to kill them.

Apply Milky Spore to the yard and then refrain from using lawn insecticides for a couple of years while the milky spore builds up.

• Buy Milky Spore at Gardener’s Supply