Milky Spore
MILKY SPORE --
Frequently Asked Questions:
1. How fast does the Spore work and how long does it last?
Milky Spore begins working as soon as it is applied as long as grubs are feeding. Once grubs are infected they will multiply the Spore by several billion times and spread it further. In warm climates good control can occur in one to three years. In colder areas like New England, three to five years. Once established in a lawn, Milky Spore has been known to last 15 to 20 years.
2. Will freezing ruin the Spore? What about heavy rain?
No, Milky Spore is not affected by freezing or other adverse environmental conditions. Heavy rain may wash away newly applied Spore dust necessitating retreatment.
3. Will fertilizer or chemical pesticides that have dursban and diazinon in them affect Spore?
Dursban and diazinon have been banned by the EPA as toxic to the environment. Milky Spore is safe for the environment and is not affected by pesticides, fungicides or herbicides. They may be applied at the same time.
4. Can I use it in the vegetable garden?
Yes, Milky Spore is harmless to food crops. It is not a chemical pesticide. It may be used in gardens, around pools and wells.
5. Should we keep our pets off the lawn?
Milky Spore does not affect pets, beneficial insects, fish, bees, birds, other animals, plants, or man. It is not a poison.
6. Can I mix the Spore with water and spray it?
Neither the Milky Spore powder nor the Milky Spore Spreader mix should be mixed with water and sprayed.
7. Can I cut my grass after applying the Spore?
Do not mow or rake your yard until Milky Spore has been soaked into the soil.
8. What if I treat my yard and my neighbor doesn’t?
Your lawn will be protected even if you are surrounded by untreated property. Eventually, the Spore will creep next door into adjacent areas by natural movement.
9. Won’t beetles fly in from my neighbor’s yard?
An adult beetle feeds only during it’s first two weeks. By the time they fly in from adjacent areas, any new grubs laid in late Summer will be affected by the Spore.
10. What about Moles?
Eliminating grubs with Milky Spore often cause Moles and Skunks to feed elsewhere. Unfortunately, they may head for your neighbor’s untreated yard instead. Milky Spore does not affect moles, it simply eliminates their food source.
11. Can I have too many grubs?
If you are rapidly losing your lawn due to too many grubs, more than 10 per square foot, you may be wise to use an insecticide along with Milky Spore.
12. How do I know if I have beetle grubs?
Grubs feed on the roots of your grass which can become brown and die. Simply lift the dead grass and look for white larvae curled into the shape of a “C” about the size of a penny. Active grubs can completely destroy a lawn. Use Milky Spore for safe, long-lasting control.
13. Do beetle larvae feed more aggressively in Fall?
Yes, grubs in fall are in the first instar stage and are feeding for growth to store body fat for winter. In the spring, grubs reach 3rd instar prior to molting and do not require as much food.
Frequently Asked Questions:
1. How fast does the Spore work and how long does it last?
Milky Spore begins working as soon as it is applied as long as grubs are feeding. Once grubs are infected they will multiply the Spore by several billion times and spread it further. In warm climates good control can occur in one to three years. In colder areas like New England, three to five years. Once established in a lawn, Milky Spore has been known to last 15 to 20 years.
2. Will freezing ruin the Spore? What about heavy rain?
No, Milky Spore is not affected by freezing or other adverse environmental conditions. Heavy rain may wash away newly applied Spore dust necessitating retreatment.
3. Will fertilizer or chemical pesticides that have dursban and diazinon in them affect Spore?
Dursban and diazinon have been banned by the EPA as toxic to the environment. Milky Spore is safe for the environment and is not affected by pesticides, fungicides or herbicides. They may be applied at the same time.
4. Can I use it in the vegetable garden?
Yes, Milky Spore is harmless to food crops. It is not a chemical pesticide. It may be used in gardens, around pools and wells.
5. Should we keep our pets off the lawn?
Milky Spore does not affect pets, beneficial insects, fish, bees, birds, other animals, plants, or man. It is not a poison.
6. Can I mix the Spore with water and spray it?
Neither the Milky Spore powder nor the Milky Spore Spreader mix should be mixed with water and sprayed.
7. Can I cut my grass after applying the Spore?
Do not mow or rake your yard until Milky Spore has been soaked into the soil.
8. What if I treat my yard and my neighbor doesn’t?
Your lawn will be protected even if you are surrounded by untreated property. Eventually, the Spore will creep next door into adjacent areas by natural movement.
9. Won’t beetles fly in from my neighbor’s yard?
An adult beetle feeds only during it’s first two weeks. By the time they fly in from adjacent areas, any new grubs laid in late Summer will be affected by the Spore.
10. What about Moles?
Eliminating grubs with Milky Spore often cause Moles and Skunks to feed elsewhere. Unfortunately, they may head for your neighbor’s untreated yard instead. Milky Spore does not affect moles, it simply eliminates their food source.
11. Can I have too many grubs?
If you are rapidly losing your lawn due to too many grubs, more than 10 per square foot, you may be wise to use an insecticide along with Milky Spore.
12. How do I know if I have beetle grubs?
Grubs feed on the roots of your grass which can become brown and die. Simply lift the dead grass and look for white larvae curled into the shape of a “C” about the size of a penny. Active grubs can completely destroy a lawn. Use Milky Spore for safe, long-
13. Do beetle larvae feed more aggressively in Fall?
Yes, grubs in fall are in the first instar stage and are feeding for growth to store body fat for winter. In the spring, grubs reach 3rd instar prior to molting and do not require as much food.