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Flea Beetle Control
How to kill (control) flea beetles in the garden
Control Flea Beetles Organically
by Marilyn Pokorney
Flea beetles are more of a nuisance than a threat to a healthy garden. But if
found on seedlings they can kill the plants. On larger, well-established plants
they do little harm. However, in corn and potatoes flea beetles can transmit
serious diseases. Potato beetles may transmit early blight. Corn flea beetles
can transmit a bacterium called Stewart's Wilt.
The adults are tiny ranging from 1/16 to 1/4 inch long and are various colors,
including black, greenish or bluish black, green or yellow. They have enlarged
hind legs which enable them to jump like fleas. The larvae are slender, white
grubs which feed on roots, tubers, and lower stems underground.
Flea beetles overwinter as adults among debris in or near fields or host plants.
At the end of the year remove plants and surface debris to remove hibernating
material.
Eggs are deposited in soil near the bases of host plants and may require a week
or more to hatch. Treating the soil with beneficial nematodes can help control
the larvae.
Plant later than usual so warmer temperatures can help plants to outgrow the
feeding beetles.
Use rotation planting. Don't plant the same crop in the same bed the next year.
Dusting plants with Diatomaceous earth, ashes, ground limestone, or even flour
has been used successfully.
Homemade sticky traps work well. Flea beetles are attracted to the colors of
white and yellow. For white traps cut milk jugs sides, other white plastic
containers, or styrofoam meat trays into pieces about four to six inches square.
Coat the pieces with something sticky. Petroleum jelly, lard, grease and
non-setting glue have all been found useful. Wash off the captured beetles and
reuse.
For a yellow trap take flypaper and attach it to something solid like a
lightweight board that can be set upright or heavy cardboard attached to a
wooden stake.
Some people have found beer traps successful.
For plants that don't need insect pollination, cover beds of seedlings with row
covers or gauze-like material to prevent beetle entry.
Flea beetles like hot, dry soil. Misting or fine watering to keep the top soil
moist helps as do mulches.
Plant beets, carrots, chard, radishes, spinach and other cool-loving crops a
couple of weeks later. These also make effective trap crops to protect other
plants.
Natural repellents consist of nicotinia, catnip, and wormwood. Make a tea and
spray the affected crop. Another natural repellent is a garlic and hot pepper
spray. Flea beetles hate this combination and will quickly leave. Reapply after
watering or rain.
If all else fails, insecticides make from plants like Rotenone can be applied.
For more information on organic flea beetle and insect control:
http://www.apluswriting.net/garden/fleabeetle.htm
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Author: Marilyn Pokorney
Freelance writer of science, nature, animals and the environment.
Also loves crafts, gardening, and reading.
Website: http://www.apluswriting.net
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