Best time to use Milky Spore?
kentstar
15 years ago
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karl_bapst_rosenut
15 years agolast modified: 9 years agoRelated Discussions
Milky Spore - Over Application?
Comments (5)I always have to ask where you live for questions like this. After reading these forums over the years, my observation is that people who have cool season grasses are usually more successful with milky spore and people with warm season grasses are more successful with beneficial nematodes. Beneficial nematodes carry a disease bacterium to the insects. That is how they kill them. Once the insect is dead, the nematodes hatchlings feed on the disease bacterium growing on the host's corpse. Then they launch off on their own to find new hosts. Apparently one nematode can lay 275,000 eggs so the population can increase into the trillions quickly with ideal conditions. Ideal conditions means your soil is saturated when the critters go down and it stays pretty evenly moist for a week or two. Unfortunately these are ideal conditions for weed seed sprouting, too. Here is a link that might be useful: My favorite link for beneficial nematodes...See MoreHas anyone used Milky Spore successfully?
Comments (11)H Sandy, Thank you for the link. I have 3/4 acre and I had planned on treating a portion of my neighbor's property. They both have much larger properties than mine. There's a large field across the road from me where hay is grown. I do have a fairly large population of JB's most years and I grow a number of fruit trees which they commonly enjoy. I called everyone locally I could think of...ag agent, garden centers, Southern States...I got different answers from everyone. Someone says, "depends on your soil." And, it'll only killed 18%...amybe. Or "they'll still fly in from 2 miles away." The guy from the local Southern States told me he used it and it worked great for him. When I asked when he applied it, he said, "3 months ago." IIIEEE! So...IF I bought a few traps and set them 200' into the empty field across the road...and I monitored them carefully, emptying etc... Would it reduce my population of JB's in years to come? My small orchard is in one corner of my rectangular lot, approx. 125' x 225' and borders the road. I thought of treating the area within a 150'-200' radius of my orchard and...I'd also treat my entire lot. I realize it won't elimate the JB's entirely but if it made a good dent, I'd be happy. Thank you, Peggy...See MoreQestions about garden grubs, applying nematodes, milky spore etc
Comments (2)Most beneficial nematode packages contain more than one species. As a matter of fact, both species you mention are extremely similar and are likely to be packaged together along with a few others. Be sure to read and understand with certainty what you are purchasing and that it is intended for grubs. The directions should clearly tell you how many to use in a given amount of space. The label will also tell you that the soil must be warmish (68F is ideal) before you apply these nematodes and that sunlight can kill them. Your soil should be moist in advance, and free from mulch or other debris. You want to apply the nemas directly to the soil surface. Be sure to order your nematodes,fresh, from a reputable source, one that provides plenty of educational information on how to store the nematodes once you receive them, how to apply them, when to apply, how often, etc. Have you found a good place to purchase them, yet? Let us know what you find out....See MoreMilky Spore VS GrubEx?
Comments (6)Milky spore is actually a bacterium that targets Japanese beetle larvae. It can be applied any time the ground is not frozen but is most effective in late summer-fall as that is when the grubs are most actively feeding. Once the grubs consume the spores and are infected and die, their decaying bodies release billions of new spores that spread and infiltrate in other parts of the garden. The spread of the spore is really dependent on the grubs eating the stuff and spreading it around, so summer/fall applications have the most benefit. However the product has a long shelf life, so if not needed or used now, it can keep in a cool, dry situation until next season....See Morekarl_bapst_rosenut
15 years agolast modified: 9 years agokentstar
15 years agolast modified: 9 years agokarl_bapst_rosenut
15 years agolast modified: 9 years agokentstar
15 years agolast modified: 9 years agobethfriend
11 years agolast modified: 9 years agoBarbara Norton
8 years agodebstuart1
8 years ago
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mad_gallica (z5 Eastern NY)