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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>Pat Hrubiak</span> Sun, 06/16/2024 - 18:19
My gardening friend keeps her eggplants in large pots on a surface 3' above ground, outside the flea beetle's jumping range. Seems to work. Plants are robust and damage free.
<span>Larry Cohen</span> Sat, 04/06/2024 - 09:55
I have had some luck with putting wood ash on the leaves .. I grow Callaloo in Tennessee and these beetles are a major problem for us ..
<span>Beeara</span> Wed, 09/21/2022 - 14:17
This article says that the flea beetles are repelled by nasturtiums but actually, they seem to be ravaging mine this year.
<span>Diane Arlint</span> Fri, 05/30/2025 - 22:13
Nasturtium. draw the flea beetles away from your other plants. and yes will destroy your nasturtium .
<a title="View user profile." href="/author/editors">The Editors</a> Thu, 09/22/2022 - 16:35

Yes, nasturtiums can be used as a trap crop; they will take the focus of the flea beetles away from the more valuable crops you are growing.

 <span>Perez</span> Tue, 02/08/2022 - 14:55
they live indoors and will jump
<span>Marie</span> Mon, 05/31/2021 - 13:45
This totally did NOT work, nor did placing peppermint leaves on the eggplants. I saw more flea beetles after I sprayed than before. I think they loved it. I only have 6 eggplants, so I picked the beetles off and put them in soapy water. That killed them!
<span>Bainbridge Gardener</span> Fri, 05/21/2021 - 12:01
Tried this home brew recipe and 5 mins later, flea beetles were back, happy as ever. This treatment totally does not work. Just FYI.
<span>Jim Rogers</span> Thu, 09/10/2020 - 16:16
Do they live indoors
<span>Perez</span> Tue, 02/08/2022 - 14:53
yea and they will jump on you