Milky Spore Lawn Spreader Mix - Questions & Answers

Milky Spore should be applied three times a year for two consecutive years in a row. The best time should be in the spring (May), summer (July) and fall (September).

Normally the Milky Spore is applied to a much larger area and to a lawn with a drop spreader so we are unsure exactly how much to tell you to use for your raised beds. One 20lb bag is supposed to cover 7000 sq/ft so if you want to figure out the square footage of your beds and then break down the amount used per 1000 sq/ft that way it would likely be the most accurate application. If you are still unsure, you can contact the manufacturer St Gabriels for a better answer at 1-800-801-0061.

1/3 of the way open on your drop spreader is how it should be applied.

Milky Spore should be applied three times a year for two consecutive years in a row. The best time should be in the spring (May), summer (July) and fall (September). It would be too late in the year to apply this product now. We would recommend waiting until the Spring to apply.

Milky spore would be a great product for you! Milky Spore should be applied three times a year for two consecutive years in a row. The best time should be in the spring (May), summer (July) and fall (September). It would be too late in the year to apply this product now. We would recommend waiting until the Spring to apply. 

The Milky Spore Spreader Mix should be applied at least 3 times a year for 2 years. The main difference is that in using the six part spreader mix program you are essentially spreading the spore over an entire lawn rather than in concentrated areas using the powder. In doing this the number of spores in any one location is significantly less than the concentrated spot method.
Grubs become infected by swallowing a spore and this occurs by happenstance when feeding on grass roots. The more spores in a given area, the greater chance for infection. Each infected grub dies and releases 3 billion new spores into the soil.

Milky Spore can be applied and should be lightly watered in. However, if the rain picks up and a heavy rain occurs it may wash away newly applied Spore dust necessitating retreatment.

Per St. Gabriel the manufacturer, you can never put too much down. You can switch to the Milky Spore Powder. you want to apply 1 tsp every 4 feet. 

Milky Spore Spreader Mix is too light to be used with a broadcast/rotary spreader. It must be placed in concentrated areas on the lawn and that is why it must be used with a drop spreader over every square foot of grass.  It requires six applications usually Spring and Fall for three years to build the number of spores in any one area to millions of spores.

The Milky Spore Lawn Spreader Mix is recommended for treating the larvae of Japanese beetles, grubs.  Talstar P will help control adult Japanese beetles if you need spray plants and such.

The Milky Spore only affects Japanese Beetle Grubs. A better option for you would be to treat in the beginning of May and in June with a product like Merit to control the grubs during the most activity of them in the soil to get the best results. Fall treatments even in warm climates like Florida will not see full control, typically, as they are feeding less on the lawn and will not consume as much of the Merit to be affected by it. The other option if you want something for what activity you are experiencing now, the only product that will really work to drop the grub population is Dylox. It only lasts in the soil about 24-48 hours but its designed to knock back the numbers in large amounts in that time frame.

If you have already had a frost, then it is very unlikely there are still any grubs actively feeding close enough to the surface to be killed by curative insecticides. You should apply Milky Spore Lawn Spreader Mix in the Spring, Summer, and Fall for 2 consecutive years for best results. If there are areas where it is difficult to apply with a spreader, then you can wear gloves and use your hands to disperse the product. Be sure to remove any groundcover such as pine straw, wood chips, etc. so that the spores will actually get into the soil. Be sure to read the FAQs on the product page and the product info sheet for more information.

The 20lb bag of Milky Spore Lawn Spreader mix will cover 7000 square feet. You should apply Milky Spore grub control granules with a drop spreader in the Spring, Summer, and Fall for 2 years to create the long term residual.

 Milky Spore should be applied three times a year for two consecutive years in a row. The best time should be in the spring (May), summer (July) and fall (September). It would be too late in the year to apply this product now. We would recommend waiting until the Spring to apply. 

An application of Roundup would not have any effect on the Milky Spore. Milky Spore is not affected by pesticides, fungicides or herbicides. They may be applied at the same time.

We are not sure if this spreader would be appropriate for application of Milky Spore Lawn Spreader Mix since Milky Spore Spreader Mix is too light to be used with a broadcast/rotary spreader. It must be placed in concentrated areas on the lawn and that is why it must be used with a drop spreader over every square foot of grass.  It requires six applications, usually Spring and Fall for three years to build the number of spores in any one area to millions of spores.

For assistance calibrating your spreader, please see our video at the bottom of our granular spreader page here.

Yes, Milky Spore is not a chemical pesticide. It may be used in gardens, around pools and wells.

Milky Spore Lawn Spreader Mix  does not affect pets, beneficial insects, fish, bees, birds, other animals, plants, or man. It is not a poison. 

Milky Spore has an indefinite shelf life and will not go bad in the bag. 

Yes, Milky Spore is not a poison and can be used around cattle or any other animals.  Animals do not need to be removed during application.