Flea Beetles
Identification
Extremely small, black or brown beetles, flea beetles are 1/10″ long. They move very quickly and hop like a flea.
Damage
Flea beetles make small, round holes in plant foliage. Their larvae live underground and can consume plant roots, too.
Prevention
Practice crop rotation.
Physical control
Place yellow sticky cards above plant tops to lure and trap adult flea beetles. Do not use floating row cover as it can trap newly emerged flea beetles underneath it.
Chemical control
It is highly recommended to try physical prevention/control methods before resorting to chemical control. Beneficial nematodes can help control larvae when added to soil. For adult beetles, use garlic oil, hot pepper wax, neem, spinosad, or kaolin clay-based products. Check local regulations (or your local Extension Office where applicable) to identify which products can be used in home gardens in your area. Follow label instructions carefully for safe and effective insecticide application and to ensure that edible crops are safe to harvest. Test insecticide on a few plants before widespread application. Look for the most selective insecticide to minimize harm to beneficial insects- even some “selective” and "natural" insecticides can still negatively impact beneficial insects. Apply contact-based insecticides in the late evening and try to avoid spraying during blooming to minimize negative impacts on pollinators- in some cases the insecticide may need to be hosed off in the morning to avoid contact with pollinators. Do not spray Spinosad on flowering plants.
Plants Affected
...and 29 more plants
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