The label is the law. Rates and restrictions below are taken from the product labels listed under Sources. Your product's own label governs; read it before you mix or apply. Mixing calculator · Disclaimer
- Active ingredient
- Bacillus thuringiensis subsp. galleriae strain SDS-502 (fermentation solids, spores and insecticidal toxins)
- Chemical class
- Microbial insecticide. IRAC places Bacillus thuringiensis and the insecticidal proteins it produces in Group 11A; the galleriae subspecies is not named separately on its list.[2]
- Mode of action
- IRAC Group 11A: Microbial disruptors of insect midgut membranes: Bacillus thuringiensis (galleriae not listed by name)[2]
- Signal word
- Phyllom beetleGONE! biological insecticide (beetleGONE! ag, beetleGONE! tlc): Caution[1]
A Bt for beetles
The label says beetleGONE! is highly active against certain beetles in the Buprestidae, Scarabaeidae and Curculionidae families. Its pest tables list Japanese, Oriental and green June beetles, two borers and several weevils.[1]
The master label also covers food crops with a 0-day pre-harvest interval and darkling and hide beetles in poultry houses.[1]
Where it is used
Spray the leaves the beetles are eating until they are thoroughly wet but not dripping. The beetles have to eat treated foliage for it to work.[1]
Time sprays for after adult beetles emerge but before their peak flight, and repeat as needed until they are gone.[1]
Multiple treatments may be needed when beetles keep flying in from neighboring yards. Mix only enough for one treatment.[1]
Measure with dedicated spoons, never food utensils. Trigger, hand-held, backpack and hose-end sprayers all work.[1]
Products and registrations
| Product | Registrant | EPA Reg. No. | Active % | Formulation | Signal word |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Phyllom beetleGONE! biological insecticide (beetleGONE! ag, beetleGONE! tlc)[1] | Phyllom BioProducts Corporation | 88347-3 | 76.5% | water dispersible powder | Caution |
Label rates
| Product | Use | Pests | Rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Phyllom beetleGONE! biological insecticide (beetleGONE! ag, beetleGONE! tlc) | Home ornamental landscape plants and edible garden plants | Japanese beetle, Asiatic garden beetle, Oriental beetle, green June beetle, sweet potato weevil, pepper weevil, citrus and strawberry root weevils | 4–12 oz product per gallon of spray[1] That's 12 to 36 level tablespoons per gallon, since 3 tablespoons equal 1 dry ounce. A quart sprayer takes 3 to 9 tablespoons and a pint sprayer 1 to 3. |
| Phyllom beetleGONE! biological insecticide (beetleGONE! ag, beetleGONE! tlc) | Individual ornamental trees and shrubs (spot spray, commercial sublabel) | Adult Japanese beetle, Asiatic garden beetle, Oriental beetle, May or June beetles, goldspotted oak borer | 0.5–1.5 lb product per gallon of water[1] Broadcast ground sprays use 2.5 to 17.5 lb per acre in up to 100 gallons of water. Start after adults emerge and before peak flight. |
Safety and environmental hazards
People
Signal word CAUTION: causes moderate eye irritation and is harmful if absorbed through the skin or swallowed. Avoid contact with skin, eyes and clothing, and wash with soap and water after handling.[1]
Pets
For lawns, grounds and ornamental gardens, the commercial sublabel says to keep unprotected people, children and pets out of the treated area until sprays have dried.[1]
Bees and pollinators
The label has no honey bee statement. It does bar use within 300 feet of habitat for threatened or endangered butterflies, moths or beetles.[1]
Fish and water
Keep it out of storm drains, ditches, gutters and surface water. Spraying in calm weather with no rain forecast for 24 hours helps keep it on target.[1]
Common questions
- How much beetleGONE! per gallon?
- The home and garden directions call for 4 to 12 dry ounces, or 12 to 36 tablespoons, per gallon of spray.[1]
- Is beetleGONE! organic?
- The home and garden sublabel is marked for organic gardening, and the agricultural sublabel for organic production.[1]
- How fast does Bt galleriae kill Japanese beetles?
- Beetles that eat it stop feeding within hours and typically die within 5 days, according to the label.[1]
Sources
- U.S. EPA Pesticide Product Label System, “Phyllom beetleGONE! biological insecticide master label label, EPA Reg. No. 88347-3 (EPA-stamped, July 11, 2013).” www3.epa.gov/pesticides/chem_search/ppls/088347-00003-20130711.pdf (accessed 2026-10-06)
- Insecticide Resistance Action Committee, “IRAC Mode of Action Classification Scheme, Version 11.5 (Feb. 2026).” irac-online.org/documents/moa-classification/ (accessed 2026-10-06)