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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.

Image Credit:
Greg Bryant, North Carolina State University
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.

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.

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 digital home of The Old Farmer’s Almanac. She leads digital editorial strategy and publishing across a wide range of Almanac sub...

Read more from Catherine Boeckmann

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Comments

<a title="View user profile." href="/author/editors">The Editors</a> Mon, 06/20/2016 - 14:41

You're right, Linda. It seems we've mixed apples and oranges here. We suggest mixing 5 cups water with 2 cups alcohol plus 1 tablespoon of liquid soap.

 <span>Debbie</span> Sat, 02/25/2017 - 12:00
I'm thinking ahead to the next growing season and how best to combat the flea beetles that always destroy my Brassicas. I rent a plot in a community garden, so I don't have as many options as I would on my own land. In looking at your alcohol spray, it seems a little heavy on the alcohol, and I wonder if it might burn young plants. Is there a minimum ratio of alcohol to water that would still be effective against these pests, or is it just trial and error? Also, I have heard that vinegar can help. Do you have any thoughts on this and what might be a good ratio of vinegar to water to deter the beetles but not damage the plants? Thanks.
<a title="View user profile." href="/author/editors">The Editors</a> Tue, 02/28/2017 - 15:04

I'm not sure if a study has been done as to the minimum ratio of alcohol/water plus soap for effectiveness. However, you are right to be concerned about burning plants. With alcohol sprays, always test a solution on a small area before spraying an entire plant or crop; some plants may be more sensitive than others. You might try a solution with a small percentage of alcohol to water and work up to determine the minimum you can use and still have it be effective. As to vinegar, same precautions. One must be very careful about proportions, or as you have read, the vinegar's acetic acid can kill plants (at higher concentrations, vinegar is used as an herbicide). Some sources suggest avoiding using it at all, especially on vegetables or flowers. Others suggest 3 parts water to 1 part vinegar, and only spraying leaves. If you try this route, you might try diluting the solution even further, then testing on a small area first. Hope this helps!

 <span>Wanita Johnson</span> Mon, 07/07/2025 - 11:08
Is it safe to eat the fruit if the plant was sprayed with alcohol/water/soap mixture?
<span>Elsa Fischer</span> Sun, 05/15/2016 - 05:08
We have stacks of blue flea beetles on our land and see them as a blessing. They got on top of the dreaded buzzies and congregate in large clusters on dying vegetation. Our little granddaughter treats them as pets. They are most welcome apart from being beautiful.
<span>Betty Pearson</span> Sat, 04/09/2016 - 02:36
We have these little suckers everywhere on our property. Vegetable garden, strawberry patch and the house garden and natives. Any clues how to treat. Not sure about the rubbing alcohol on food we will be eating. And how to treat such a large area.
<span>Apollyon</span> Sun, 05/01/2016 - 14:50
Take old coffee grounds and about 5 or so drops of hot sauce care not to use much hot sauce as it can burn roots but put that at base of all plants .. For leaves i use flour once a week on all my plants.. The only down side i seen with flour was little dough balls in my yard but they go away in a short period of time after it rains i reapply everything again
<a title="View user profile." href="/author/editors">The Editors</a> Mon, 04/11/2016 - 12:46

Hi, Betty: Sorry to hear! It sounds like these might be blue milkweed beetles, which always pose a tricky problem because hosts for them like milkweed and oleander, which you would want to eliminate if nearby, are also beneficial to monarch butterflies and others. The best thing to do is bite the bullet and try to physically remove as many as possible by plucking or even using a handheld battery-operated vac. Another option is an organic insecticide applied very specifically to aggregations of beetles where found. It's important to try to do this before they lay their eggs, so alacrity is of the essence. Good luck!

 <span>Cora Williams</span> Mon, 03/16/2015 - 11:53
Do shining flea beetles bit and we found one in our house but we don't have any plants inside or outside our home
<span>Owen</span> Tue, 12/10/2024 - 21:47
Yes they do, can only hope they didn't establish themselves.