How Can I Control Flea Beetles?

Do you want to control flea beetles using the biological control method?

Do you want to control flea beetles by using a home-made spray?

Do you want to control flea beetles using organic methods?

Do you want to control flea beetles using broad-spectrum insecticides?

Microctonus vittatae is a native braconid wasp (found more commonly in the eastern half of the U.S). This wasp kills the adult flea beetle. The larvae of this wasp develop on the female flea beetle and prevent the beetle from reproducing. Beneficial nematodes applied to the soil will destroy the larval stage, reducing root feeding and helping to prevent the next generation of adults from emerging.

If the infestation is not severe you can try using homemade spray to control flea beetles: 2 cups rubbing alcohol, 5 cups water, and 1 tablespoon liquid soap. Test out 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.

70% Neem Oil is approved for organic use and can be sprayed on vegetables, fruit trees, and flowers to kill eggs, larvae, and adult insects. Mix 1 oz/ gallon of water and spray all leaf surfaces (including the undersides of leaves) until completely wet. Apply organic Diatomaceous Earth for long-lasting protection. Made up of tiny fossilized aquatic organisms, that look like broken glass under the microscope, DE kills by scoring an insect’s outer layer as it crawls over the fine powder.

There are many pesticides labeled for treating flea beetles. Commonly available and sold in stores that sell garden pesticides are pyrethrins/pyrethrum, carbaryl, malathion, spinosad, permethrin, lambda cyhalothrin, cyfluthrin. Always follow the pesticide label directions attached to the pesticide container you are using. Be sure that the vegetable you wish to treat is listed on the label of the pesticide you intend to use. Also, be sure to observe the number of days between pesticide application and when you can harvest your crop.

Remove garden trash and plow or rototill under weeds to reduce overwintering sites. Floating row covers are extremely effective when placed on seedlings and left in place until plants are old enough to tolerate beetle damage. Place yellow sticky traps throughout garden rows every 15 to 30 feet to capture adults. Reflective mulches applied very soon after planting and before plants become infected can be helpful.