Klein explains that that's actually a brand name the correct generic term,he says is "milky disease". Although many of us call this stuff "Milky Spore", Dr. Their famed natural enemy was discovered-also in New Jersey-in the1930s. Klein explained that when Japanese beetles entered the county (on a shipment of plants to Riverton, New Jersey sometime prior to their discovery in 1916) they were rare in their native country, and considered good luck because of their beautiful green and gold'finery'. So I called THE authority on Japanese beetles and their grubs, Dr.Michael Klein, Adjunct Professor of Entomology at Ohio State University and former Lead Scientist for what was known for many years as the USDA"Japanese beetle lab" and is now called the "Horticultural Insects Unit". A little checking around revealed that there's quite a bit of disagreement about this stuff in the research world. They explained that they had heard great things about its ability to control the grubs of Japanese beetles in turf grass, but had also heard about recent tests indicating it may only work in the lab.
But I did ask the folks at GA-who seem to carry just about every other natural pest control-why they don't carry milky spore. Tony: I don't work for Gardens Alive they simply host my Question of the Week.
But I couldn't find it for sale at the Gardens Alive website, so I'm thinking it might not be that good. Mike: I have neighbors who are going to apply milky spore on their lawn to kill grubs they say applying it three times a year will rid my yard of grubs after three years.
Is there something I should put in the soil to kill any remaining grubs before the sod is laid? Thank you, Our lawn was so infested with grubs that we dug the whole thing up and are having new sod put in. But how about the grass I have now? Is it too late to put down Milky Spore? When is the best time to assure it will 'take' in the soil for the long term? Thanks, OK, you have convinced me to wait until the fall to plant new grass seed.