Why beetleGONE! is So Far Superior to Milky Spore

beetleGONE! has the broadest range of effectiveness against grubs in the non-synthetic market, and does it without harming beneficial insects!  Milky Spore is only effective against Japanese Beetle grubs; beetleGONE! has a much broader spectrum of control against white grubs including not only Japanese Beetle grubs but also Asian and Oriental Beetle grubs as well as many chafers (such as the European) and many borers:

You get a more complete protection with beetleGONE! Even better, beetleGONE! is also effective against adult beetles as well as all stages of grubs (1st through 3rd instar stages) - Milky Spore is not.

beetleGONE! is composed of the natural soil bacterium Bacillus thuringiensis galleriae (Btg), but most of the activity in the soil comes from the ingestion of the stable protein derived from the Btg; it is therefore not dependent on the the finicky conditions required for the bacterium to reproduce.  beetleGONE! is stable for years and is effective at any temperature range in which grubs are feeding. Milky Spore must grow and reproduce in order to be effective, and therefore has a limited temperature range in which it will possibly work. In soils in the northeastern United States and some other parts of the country, the Milky Spore bacteria do no survive in the soil for extended periods, contrary to claims otherwise (see references below). 

• University of Connecticut: "Milky spore may not persist through cold winters, and is most effective... when used in a neighborhood effort."
• University of Vermont: "Milky Spore...(has had) relatively poor or inconsistent results in the field."
• Cornell University: Does Milky Spore Work? "The overall effect of Milky Disease is as a population suppressant, not as a direct control."
• Reasons You Should Not Be Using Milky Spore.

When Do I Apply beetleGONE?

Exact application timing will depend on your location and climate. Japanese beetle activity starts at the beginning of July in most parts of the country, and beetleGONE! should be applied when beetles emerge.  For grubs, the eggs hatch in the beginning of through mid-August.  A beetleGONE! treatment from late July through early September for grubs will mitigate damage and be a once-a-year application.

The chart below provides general guidelines for when to apply beetleGONE! in most milder climates of the United States:

General Application Instructions for beetleGONE!

For Beetles:

• Apply beetleGONE! at a rate of 1 to 2 ounces per gallon of water (slightly less than 1/2 cup or 8 tablespoons per gallon of water).
• For larger application, use beetleGONE! at a rate of 2.5  pounds per acre (or more for heavier infestations) per application in up to 30 gallons (for low volume mist blowers) or 100 gallons (for high volume hydraulic sprayers) of water per acre.

For Grubs:

• beetleGONE! may also be used as a wettable powder for grub control on turf at a rate of 0.25 lbs. per 1,000 square feet (1/2 a cup or 8 tbs. of beetleGONE! per gallon of water per 1,000 square feet). 
• 1 lb. covers 4,000 square feet.

Application Notes for beetleGONE!

• Re-apply beetleGONE! every 7-10 days when beetles are active.  Excess rain may require more frequent applications (for beetles only...for grubs once a year in the late summer/early fall is enough).
• The use of a sticker is highly recommended to extend the time that the product is active.  Nu Film®P is the suggested spreader, you can buy that through us by clicking here. 
• Do not use any screens or filters with a size larger than 120 mesh (the larger the number the finer the screen).  Clogging is possible with spray equipment that uses 140 mesh filters or higher.  
• If using beetleGONE! for grub control, water in with 0.5 inch of water, or apply before a moderate rain.  beetleGONE! must reach the root zone where the white grubs feed.
• Use a pump sprayer or backpack sprayer for optimal application.  Hose-End-Sprayers are NOT recommended due to inconsistent coverages.
• beetleGONE! is a feeding inhibitor, so the beetles need to take a bite of it before it works.  After a short time after ingestion, the bacterium will poke a hole in the beetle's stomach and they stop feeding and hence stop damaging plants.  But it may take a day or so for them to actually die, although you will likely see the beetles stunned within a couple of hours but no more damage will be done.  Even nocturnal beetles, such as Asiatic or Orientals, may be present during the day on the leaves stunned.
• With very heavy pressure, and 100s of beetles biting a plant before they die, you could still see excessive damage on the plants that appears as if the product is not working.  You may still see beetles emerging from the lawn and flying around.  beetleGONE! will not kill any beetles that do not ingest the product on the plants that were sprayed.  In very rare cases, the pressure could be so that the damage still happens with new beetles constantly coming in that haven't yet ingested the product.

beetleGONE! Shelf Life

3 Year Shelf Life with no special storage requirements (no refrigeration needed).

beetleGONE! Sites of Application

Phyllom beetleGONE! can be used for applications to plants, trees and turf residential lawns, commercial grounds (e.g., office and shopping complexes and airports), parks, schools, playgrounds, athletic fields, day care facilities, pet care facilities, cemeteries, sod farms, and other turf grass-covered areas. beetleGONE! is not phytotoxic and can be used on all plant species.

beetleGONE! Scientific References

• New Grub Control Product May Be a Game Changer.
• Ohio Turfgrass Foundation Magazine - grubGONE! as a New Organic Option for Insect Control On Sports Fields.
• Grub Control in Lawns May Be Easier and Safer in 2015 on About.com.
• The Day - Green and Growing: Kathy Connolly. GrubGONE! & beetleGONE!
• A strain of Bacillus thuringiensis subsp. galleriae containing a novel cry8 gene highly toxic to Anomala cuprea (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae).

beetleGONE! Active Ingredient

 Bacillus thuringiensis galleriae Strain SDS-502.

beetleGONE! Available Sizes

• 1 lb. bag (Covers 17,500 square feet for beetles or 4,000 square feet for grubs).
• 2 lb. bag (Covers 35,000 square feet for beetles or 8,000 square feet for grubs).
• 5 lb. bag (Covers 2 acres for beetles or 20,000 square feet for grubs).

*Meets the requirements of the National Organic Program (NOP) for use in organic production.