
It is not usually necessary for flea beetle infestation of mature plants. The downside is sticky traps are indiscriminate and will also entrap beneficial insects and even small wildlife such as hummingbirds.Ĥ – Early in the growing season, you may wish to use insecticides to protect your young plants, but this should be a temporary solution. This mixture will kill the pests on contact, but it does not have residual effects.Ģ – Repel flea beetles by dusting your plants with diatomaceous earth or with talcum powder.īoth of these substances are unpleasant to these pests.ĭiatomaceous earth will have the effect of killing the beetles (and any other insect it comes in contact with like fungus gnats) by drying out bodily fluids.ģ – Strategically placed sticky traps are effective against flea beetles. Spray this mixture liberally onto plants infested with flea beetles.īe sure to test a small area first and wait 24 hours in case of adverse effects. Luckily, there are many ways to repel and overcome flea beetles.ġ – Make a natural flea beetle spray by combining five cups of water, two cups of isopropyl alcohol, and a tablespoonful of natural liquid soap, such as Dr. What Can You Do To Get Rid Of These Little Black Bugs? Talk with your county extension agent to find out about solutions for any bacterial problems present in your soil. This will give you some idea of exactly what harm may come from flea beetle infestation. To mitigate the potential damage flea beetles may cause, have your soil tested for the presence of bacteria. This can have a seriously detrimental effect on your crops. These beetles may carry the bacteria causing blight and wilt from one plant to another. The exception to this is flea beetles, like other types of pests, are vectors for illness. Later in the growing season, if flea beetles attack mature plants, their damage may be unsightly, but it is unlikely to kill the plant. This type of predation can kill very young plants. If left untreated, your young seedlings will look as if they are made of green lace. They will make their way to your new seedlings first, and soon you’ll see “shot-holes” in all your fresh, young leaves. The adult beetles like to feast on plant leaves, and they are especially fond of tender young leaves. The damage caused by flea beetles is most evident early in the springtime when they emerge from overwintering in woodlands and brushy areas.Īs soon as the temperature hits 50º degrees Fahrenheit (10° C), they awaken from their slumber ready for breakfast.
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What Kind Of Damage Do Flea Beetles Cause?
