Milky Disease - Japanese beetle is the exclusive host of the strain which is sold commercially. The disadvantages of Milky Disease include the slow rate of action, the lack of effect on adult Japanese beetles, which also cause obvious and distressing damage, and the need for large areas to be treated for effect. The narrow host range, which is environmentally very desirable, is also a disadvantage: managers must accurately identify the infesting grub species to determine if it is Japanese beetle. If there are other grubs present, they will not be attacked. It is less appropriate for use by small landowners, who may control the larvae in their own turf only to find their trees and shrubs being eaten by beetles from their neighbors' properties. Also, because B. popilliae is obligatory dependent on its hosts for sporulation and because some larvae may not ingest spores (or not ingest enough to cause disease) a periodic resurgence and decline of the pest problem can be expected.

Nematodes - Entomopathogenic nematodes are extraordinarily lethal to many important soil insect pests, yet are safe for plants and animals.