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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

<span>Ashley72213</span> Mon, 07/22/2013 - 16:59
So just to be clear, the following 2 combinations are examples of what would be correct based on the ratios provided: Combination #1 2 ounces rubbing alcohol 5 ounces of water 1 tablespoon liquid soap Combination #2 2 gallons of rubbing alcohol 5 gallons of water 1 tablespoon liquid soap If 1 tablespoon of liquid soap is equitable for both of these, how and why is it effective? If you say it is for filling a spray bottle, is that a 32 oz bottle? Details such as that can make a large difference.
<span>Johnny Rangers</span> Mon, 05/19/2014 - 21:24
a 'quart' is a unit of liquid capacity equal to a quarter of a gallon or two pints, equivalent in the US to approximately 0.94 liter and in Britain to approximately 1.13 liters.
<span>Jim Grim</span> Thu, 07/03/2014 - 23:43
No one said a "quart" in anything posted and showing. They claimed a "PART" which is NOT a quart. They DID NOT mean a part of a gallon. Because a gallon was not stated. It was a never clarified what the correct measure was when using a unspecified "parts" formula with exacting measures thrown in. You can not have the same ratio of "parts" without all or none of the exact measure.
<span>Garyguy</span> Mon, 05/18/2015 - 12:32
Fill a container about 1/4 or 1/3 of the way full with rubbing alchohol; Fill the rest of the way with water; Squirt some dishsoap in the container. I don't think exact measurements are really needed. Good luck
<span>Sotensix</span> Wed, 07/01/2015 - 03:03
Garyguy, I think you are so right! thanks!!
<span>Michelle Pilgrim</span> Sat, 05/18/2013 - 18:38
Pretty sure these are the little guys making a feast of one of my California Wonder bell pepper plants. I found this information on more natural ways of getting rid of them. Has anyone had any experience with any of these methods/found one that works best? http://voices.yahoo.com/natural-methods-controlling-flea-beetles-your-6294784.html?cat=32
<span>Mt</span> Wed, 08/15/2012 - 01:07
This definitely looks like the little pests making meals out of my lovely hibiscus. But I live right behind a preserved wet-land, so I know the fight with these twerps is gonna be a long standing one. Do you have any suggestions on how often I should be treating my hibiscus with the recommended homemade spray and any other natural deterrents I can use to help prevent infestation and subsequently disease or bacterial? Any advice would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!
<a title="View user profile." href="/author/editors">The Editors</a> Thu, 08/16/2012 - 10:44
You can buy parasitic nematodes that will attack flea beetles. Ask your supplier (local, mail-order, etc.) what species will attack flea beetles specifically. You might also try placing yellow sticky traps near plants (although this will catch both bad and good bugs). Put down a thick layer of mulch around plants to discourage beetles from laying eggs near them. Keep up with weeding; remove debris/weeds at the end of the growing season. When spraying an alcohol-based spray, test it on a leaf or two and wait a few days—alcohol can injure leaves. Do not apply the spray in hot sun or wet weather. If it looks like the plant will handle the spray, then spray it once. If it rains after several days (which may wash off the spray), you can reapply when the plant is dry again, if needed.
<span>I Hate Beetles</span> Mon, 07/23/2012 - 16:41
yea yea yea they introduced these monsters to combat russian knapweed--last thing they will eat just like goats and sheep
<span>Mildred</span> Mon, 07/09/2012 - 00:32
That is the little monster, that is hanging out in my garden. Thanks for the great info.