What is the Difference Between Milky Spore Powder and Granules

The main difference between milky spore powder and granules is that milky spore powder requires fewer applications and it is less expensive whereas milky spore granules require more applications and it is more expensive.

Milky spore powder and granules are two forms of naturally-occurring bacterium, Bacillus popilliae, which primarily targets Japanese beetle grubs, the soil-dwelling larval stage.

Key Areas Covered

1. What is Milky Spore Powder
– Definition, Characteristics, Importance
2. What are Milky Spore Granules
– Definition, Characteristics, Importance
3. Similarities Between Milky Spore Powder and Granules
– Outline of Common Features
4. Difference Between Milky Spore Powder and Granules
– Comparison of Key Differences

Key Terms

Milky Spore Granules, Milky Spore Powder

What is Milky Spore Powder

Milky spore powder is the powder form of the milky spore or the naturally-occurring bacterium, Bacillus popilliae. The most important features of the milky spore powder are the lesser number of applications and the cost. Usually, milky spore powder requires fewer applications and is less expensive. In fact, it requires only one application. Once applied, milky spore powder is ingested by the grubs and within 3 weeks they become dead.

Figure 1: Japanese Beetle Grub

Furthermore, milky spore powder is target specific, and therefore, it is safe to use the powder around people, pets, and other beneficial insects. It is also considered harmless to food crops. However, digging animals should be kept away from the area of application to limit ingestion. Milky spore powder does not freeze and is not destroyed by extreme environmental conditions. In addition, the powder is compatible with other fertilizers, pesticides, herbicides, and other lawn chemicals.

What are Milky Spore Granules

Milky spore granules are the granular form of the milky spore. The main drawbacks of milky spore granules are their cost and the number of applications. Generally, it requires 6 applications over 2 years of time. Therefore, it increases the cost of the total treatment. 

Figure 2: Japanese Beetle

However, the milky spore is a safe and organic method to kill grubs without harming other plants, animals, or insects. It also kills Japanese beetle grubs.

Similarities Between Milky Spore Powder and Granules

• Milky spore powder and granules are two forms of the naturally-occurring bacterium, Bacillus popilliae, which primarily targets Japanese Beetle grubs, the soil-dwelling larval stage.
• Both destroy the larvae before they become destructive adults.
• The grubs occur in the lawn and garden soil. They also cause damage to turf and crop loss where they are active.
• Milky spore powder and granules are ingested by the grubs.
• They kill grubs.

Difference Between Milky Spore Powder and Granules

Definition

Milky spore powder refers to the powder form of the milky spore while milky spore granules refer to the granular form of the milky spore.

Number of Applications

Milky spore powder requires fewer applications while milky spore granules require more applications.

Cost

Milky spore granules are less expensive while milky spore granules are more expensive.

Conclusion

In brief, the milky spore is a naturally-occurring bacterium, Bacillus popilliae, which primarily targets Japanese Beetle grubs, the soil-dwelling larval stage. It kills grubs before they become destructive adults. Milky spore powder and granules are two forms of milky spore. Milky spore powder is that it requires fewer applications while milky spore granules require more applications. In addition to that, the milky spore powder is less expensive while milky spore granules are more expensive. Therefore, the main difference between milky spore powder and granules is their number of applications.    

References:

1. “Milky Spore Powder.” ARBICO Organics.
2. “Milky Spore Granular.” ARBICO Organics.

Image Courtesy:

1. “Japanese Beetle Grub” By Travis – Own work (CC BY-NC 2.0) via Commons Wikimedia
2. “Japanese Beetle (28739515831)” By Katja Schulz – Own Work (CC BY 2.0) via Commons Wikimedia