Flea beetles

**Protea** · 17-04-2007, 03:22 PM

Hi,

Flea beetle can be a right pain in the a**e! you can buy garlic sprays ready made (google for New Horizon garlic spray) but they won't kill them and you'll need to spray them every few days to keep them repelled from the plants (and if there's millions of the bu**ers you won't keep them all off). Best thing to do is to net the plants as soon as you plant them out, or at sowing before they get a chance to find the crop!

Pyrethroid insecticides will kill flea beetles, but they're difficult to get hold of.

**Nicos** · 17-04-2007, 05:22 PM

We used fleece, but if it's already on them, then it may not work??

**Two_Sheds** · 17-04-2007, 05:28 PM

You could try a sticky trap (like fly paper in principle): coat some cardboard with grease, hold it over the plants, shake the plants and the flea beetles will jump up and stick to the grease. Repeat as nec.

**muckdiva** · 17-04-2007, 05:38 PM

It's so depressing when all your new lovely seedlings are destroyed in a couple of days isn't it?

I planted Rocket, Radishes, Mustard and a few other bits and bobs in July last year and they were decimated by flea beetles. Derris worked a bit, but I didn't like using it. In the end I planted again under a fleece cloche which worked very well and resulted in very attractive looking 'clean' plants! This year I will use a bit of the fine enviromesh over a frame, which I am hoping will work ok.

I did try the 'sticky piece of wood' trick a la Two Sheds, which is mentioned in Geoff Hamilton's book also - unfortunately there were so many of these d*** beetles it didn't work for me. I'm glad someone has had success with it though. I did want it to work for the fun factor!

I thought it might just have been a problem in the warmer summer months so had been planning to plant such things earlier or later to miss the hot dry weather, but if they are already attacking your crops, that's put paid to my theory.

Good luck, hope you find a workable solution.

**berksmike** · 17-04-2007, 05:39 PM

Ill try the fly trap.... Had covered my brassicas in netting rather than fleece as hadn't thought about flea beetles..silly me!

**berksmike** · 19-04-2007, 03:03 PM

Have derrised the b@*!$%ds and today there seems to be less of them.... Hope it conyinues...
Gonna have to keep the plants damper than I would usually and pray I don't get downy mildew!!!

**big digger** · 26-04-2007, 07:26 AM

I have heard companion planting can help but dont know which plants will attract flea beetles
big digger

**Two_Sheds** · 11-05-2008, 06:15 AM

I've bumped this thread because my neighbour has flea beetle damage to her radishes already.
They love dry soil, so I'm trying to keep my radishes damp (which will now encourage the slugs

)

**JO,JO** · 11-05-2008, 08:04 AM

I Think Thats What Has Been Eating My Cauli Leaves, I Am Surronded By Feilds Of Rape Stuff.

**palborn** · 13-05-2008, 10:57 AM

Do flea beetles leave small holes in the leaves? If so then that's what I've got on my turnip & rocket seedlings

Do they affect any other plants or only brassicas?

This grow your own business is hard sometimes isn't it.

**Masonmou** · 15-05-2008, 11:46 AM

I've had flea beetle attack on my radish & turnips. Do you think they are likely to go for Sprout and cabbages when I plant them out later? I had planned a butterfly proof brassica cage but will it be enough? I swear I will end up with the whole of my veg plot under cover!!!!! Any other tips for this pest would be appreciated as I am a bit of a newbie at this
Many thanks

**greenfingers** · 22-05-2008, 08:43 PM

i have flea beetle now on my cabbages,two things to try plant flowers near any cabbages etc african marigold are very good this year i have put sunflowers in as well which does help as well plus it makes the plot look nice,also you get use garlic and nettles,fill a bucket of water fill with nettles and chop up a clove of garlic let it soak for about three days outside,take out nettles and spray on you crops.let me know how you get on

**greenfingers** · 22-05-2008, 08:49 PM

by the way it does smell bad,

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