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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>Louise Pilling</span> Wed, 05/07/2014 - 06:34
Do these things bite humans? I have some sort of bug in my garden 1-2 mm in size which looks similar to this, I find them in groups on my jeans when I've been gardening and although I can catch them (they're not too fast) they do jump as well. They're driving me insane and making me itch.
<a title="View user profile." href="/author/editors">The Editors</a> Thu, 05/08/2014 - 09:25

We have not heard of flea beetles biting humans. They are not the same as fleas, which can bite humans. If you have a dog outdoors, or some other mammal frequenting your yard (wild or domestic), it is possible that these are fleas. The size is about right. Flea bites can make you itch, and leave a red bump on your skin. Fleas can jump very high. It is possible, though, that the pests in your garden are another insect. If you can catch one, you might show it to a vet (if you think it is a flea) or a pest control specialist.

 <span>Owen</span> Tue, 12/10/2024 - 21:41
Honestly, yes they are doing this, Try one simple experiment. Catch a adult flea beetle, isolate it for a week without food, tip the thing on your skin within a vile and see what happens.
<span>Joe@Fleabites101</span> Mon, 09/30/2013 - 17:06
I have a site about fleas that arose from my experience in trying to buy flea medication for my dogs. One thing led to another and voila...I have a website. So, I was doing a google search to get some story ideas for future articles and came across this site about flea beetles...which I had never heard of. Interestingly enough, I am learning that a lot of critters that aren't fleas have flea in their name. Kind of funny. One example is the sand flea. I plan on adding sections about the sand flea and the flea beetle to my site. Thank you for providing such a wonderful and concise source of information about these guys. Joe Flea Bites 101
<span>Andrew C Martin</span> Sun, 08/11/2013 - 18:27
Neem oil will get rid of them and it's organic approved. I spray once a week in spring or they ruin my arugula and bok choy.
<span>Kerry Miller</span> Fri, 08/09/2013 - 12:31
Nothing is working for me an I've lost my whole potato crop this year. Issues like this are scary for organic gardeners. The're spreading to my hundreds of tomatoes and I may loose everything this year!!!It'll be a poor winter! Isn't there anything I can do that will really work? My plants are covered!
<a title="View user profile." href="/author/editors">The Editors</a> Mon, 08/12/2013 - 16:59

Kerry, We feel for you. Here is a helpful guide for organic control of the flea beetle for potato crops. As you'll see, the key to organic control is to start very early with sanitation of overwintering sites: http://extension.oregonstate.edu/catalog/pdf/em/em8947-e.pdf

 <span>Karla T</span> Fri, 06/21/2013 - 11:25
Your homemade recipe for the bug killer spray is a bit off... I don't understand the 2 parts, 5 parts and then you have a tablespoon of soap... please give the PART RATIO of the soap... I'm sure if I had my part as one gallon that a tablespoon of soap would not be enough... or would it? Please put a recipe that is all "parts" or all exact measurements! Thank you!
<span>Marty</span> Sat, 06/04/2016 - 15:48
I made the flea bettle spray following recipe and it burned the leaves of my bok choy plants..
<a title="View user profile." href="/author/editors">The Editors</a> Mon, 06/24/2013 - 11:16
We are sorry to disappoint you, Karla, but we checked cooperative extensions and other reputable garden associations and found the exact same recipe. As the recipe is written, you would be filling a spray bottle so most likely not making several gallons at once. We wish you luck in defeating the flea beetles!