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How to Identify and Get Rid of Flea Beetles

Flea beetles can be very destructive to a wide variety of plants, so be sure to take preventative measures.

Photo Credit
Greg Bryant, North Carolina State University

Learn How to Prevent These Garden Pests!

Written By: Catherine Boeckmann Executive Digital Editor and Master Gardener

Are you having trouble with flea beetles in your garden? If you’ve noticed leaves riddled with holes, and your precious plants seem stunted, you might be facing a flea beetle infestation. Here’s how to identify, prevent, and get rid of these pesky bugs so that they stop eating your vegetables!

What Are Flea Beetles?

Flea beetles are small, shiny-coated beetles with large rear legs, which allow them to jump like fleas when threatened.

There are many species of flea beetles. Some species attack a wide range of plants, while others target only certain plant families. In the garden, many vegetable crops are susceptible to these pests, particularly those in the Brassica family, like broccoli, cabbage, kale, radishes, and turnips, as well as nightshades such as tomatoes, peppers, and eggplants.

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Identification

How to Identify Flea Beetles on Plants

Given that there are so many species of flea beetles, they vary in appearance quite a bit. Colors range from black to tan, with other, brighter colors mixed in, and the beetles may have a solid, striped, or spotted pattern, depending on the species.

To identify flea beetles, it’s easier to look for signs of their damage (described below) than for the beetles themselves. At only 1/16 of an inch in length, flea beetles are very tiny and will quickly spring away—like fleas—if they see you approach!

flea beetle on a leaf
Flea beetle on leaf. Credit: Fotikphoto

When Do Flea Beetles Appear?

Adult flea beetles overwinter in brush and wooded areas. Adult bugs pose the biggest threat early in the planting season, emerging typically when outdoor temperatures reach 50ºF (10°C). At this time, seedlings are also being planted, and they are most susceptible to beetle damage.

Eggs are laid at the base of plant stems in early summer after the spring feeding period, and larvae feed at the roots.

What Flea Beetle Damage Looks Like

Adult beetles feed on foliage, producing “shotholes” in the leaves. Look out for these holes, especially on young seedlings, where damage is most rapid and will cause the most harm. The holes flea beetles make will be round and can quickly ruin leafy greens. New leaves are usually damaged first and will have a lacy appearance.

Flea beetles usually don’t cause fatal damage to established plants because the leaves are already large enough to survive a few holes. The greater danger is that the beetles can spread bacterial diseases, such as wilt and blight, from plant to plant. Additionally, in leafy crops like lettuce or spinach, the holes can decrease the quality of the leaves.

flea beetle damage on radish leaves
Flea beetle damage on radish leaves.

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Control and Prevention

How to Get Rid of Flea Beetles

  • Try this homemade spray to control flea beetles: 2 cups isopropyl alcohol, 5 cups water, and 1 tablespoon liquid soap. Test the mixture on a leaf of the plant, let it sit overnight, then spray the rest of the plant if you don’t notice any adverse effects. Spray the mixture on the foliage of garden plants that are susceptible to these pests.
  • Dusting leaves with plain talcum powder repels flea beetles on tomatoes, potatoes, peppers, and other plants.
  • Use white sticky traps to capture flea beetles as they jump.
  • Insecticides may be used early in the season but are generally unnecessary in the control of flea beetles on adult plants. Be extra diligent if your soil has a history of bacterial diseases. Please contact your local nursery or cooperative extension for further advice.

How to Prevent Flea Beetles

  • In the spring, emerging flea beetles will be waiting to feast on your garden. Cut off their food supply by delaying transplanting or planting by a couple of weeks if possible.
  • In the fall, till the garden to unearth any hiding flea beetles. This will also make the soil easier to work the next spring.
  • Row covers may be successful at keeping these pests out, as long as they are completely sealed. They should be used immediately after transplanting, so the pests do not have time to find the plant.
  • Flea beetles can be kept away from crops by planting strongly scented plants such as catnip, hyssop, mint, or sage nearby. Nasturtium, radishes, and basil can be used as “trap crops” to take the beetles’ focus off of more valuable plants.
  • Check out these tips to attract beneficial insects that will prey on flea beetles.

Garden Pests
About The Author
Catherine Boeckmann

Catherine Boeckmann

Executive Digital Editor and Master Gardener

Catherine Boeckmann is the Executive Digital Editor of Almanac.com, the website companion of The Old Farmer's Almanac. She covers gardening, plants, pest control, soil composition, seasonal and moon c...
Read More from Catherine Boeckmann

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Comments

<span>Owen13</span> Tue, 08/12/2014 - 15:33
Is there any risk in eating the plants that were infected with flea beetles? My entire crop of Arugula was infested and now my Brussels sprouts are getting eaten as well. I am also noticing small brown balls where they sprouts are growing. Any advice is appreciated.
<span>Kruger</span> Mon, 07/07/2014 - 21:50
WHAT ARE THE CATIPILLARS THAT PUNCH THROUGH THE HUSKS AND INTO THE CORN EAR AND HOW DO YOU PREVENT THIS. THANKS
<span>P. Hoickey</span> Mon, 07/13/2015 - 14:48
Mineral oil. A few drops into the silks at top of ear. Works like a charm
<a title="View user profile." href="/author/editors">The Editors</a> Tue, 07/08/2014 - 11:04

The corn earworm is the larvae of a tan night-flying moth. Wait 'til the ears start to fill out and put 1 or 2 drops of mineral or vegetable oil on the silks. You can also treat the corn with Bt (Bacillus thuringiensis).

 <span>Grg</span> Fri, 05/30/2014 - 10:22
I noticed flea beetles several weeks ago. Treated with the alcohol spray mentioned above and then about a week later, the plants I sprayed showed leaf damage (looked like I'd burnt the leaves). I stopped using it immediately. After researching a bit more, I think if I could do it over, I'd spray only after 5PM to be sure to protect sprayed leaves from sun. Anyway, plants seemed to recover well, but this week I've noticed sections of my otherwise healthy looking potato plants start to wilt (not the whole thing, just one wilty stem coming directly from ground on each plant). Only pest I'm really seeing a lot of at this point is flea beetles and I have lots of tiny little holes on leaves. But plants still have been full, and nice and green for the most part. I was just hoping the flea beetle issue wouldn't prove too harmful. Now I'm wondering if my wilting problem might be due to their larva. Is this possible? If so, what's the best way to get rid of the larva fast? I've read about diatomaceous earth but can't find it locally. Is there any home remedy?
<span>Susan Eggenberger</span> Tue, 10/07/2014 - 10:57
You can find diatomaceous earth at pool and spa stores. It is used in some filtering systems. It is much cheaper at these stores than at organic supply, of gardening supply stores.
<span>Julia Lawrence</span> Wed, 05/25/2016 - 14:07
Please be sure any diatomaceous earth you use on your garden is food safe. The DE sold at pool stores is NOT food safe and not safe to eat. Also remember to read the label of any DE insecticide because most contain additional ingredients that are poisonous to humans and animals. Only food grade DE is safe to eat. Also be sure to use a mask when dusting because it can cause respiration problems if inhaled.
<a title="View user profile." href="/author/editors">The Editors</a> Mon, 06/02/2014 - 11:01

A good organic solution is to apply nematodes to your garden soil. The nematodes will kill any flea beetle larvae present in the soil. Neem oil spray is recommended to spry on leaves of plants. Sticky tape placed between the rows of potatoes will catch adult flea beetles.

 <span>Annie</span> Fri, 05/18/2018 - 13:38
Sticky tape outdoors is a danger to small animals and birds.
<span>Nguyễn Hữu Đoàn</span> Thu, 03/28/2019 - 19:29
dầu Neem là giải pháp tuyệt vời . có tác dụng nhanh và rất an toàn cho rau của bạn