Milky Spore is an example of which type of pest control?

• A. Chemical control
• B. Cultural control
• C. Mechanical control
• D. Biological control

Answer: (D)

Milky Spore uses a living organism to suppress the pest, which is the essence of biological control. It contains Paenibacillus popilliae, a bacterium that specifically infects Japanese beetle grubs living in the soil. When you apply it, the bacterial spores persist in the turf and infect grubs as they feed, reducing grub survival and the future beetle population. This approach is different from chemical control (synthetic pesticides), cultural control (adjusting practices to deter pests), or mechanical control (physical removal or barriers). Milky Spore provides targeted, long‑term suppression with less impact on non-target organisms than broad-spectrum chemicals.