How To Get Rid Of Flea Beetles In Your Garden

Protect your vegetables from flea damage with these tips.

Fleas are annoying insects that can cause serious damage to vegetable crops and damage the appearance of the leaves. If you notice small black beetles on your plants, or if the leaves of your plants are covered with small holes, you may be dealing with flea beetles. In this guide, you'll find everything you need to get rid of fleas organically and eliminate these pests from your garden for good.

What are fleas?

Flea beetles are small in size and have strange movement patterns. When disturbed, these animals use their long hind legs to jump back quickly. Flea beetles are no larger than 1/8 inch and can be difficult to spot because they move so quickly.

There are different types of flea beetles, and they have different colors. Most flea beetles are brown to black in color. Some species are more brightly colored and some have spots or spots.

Adult flea beetles burrow into yard debris and emerge in early spring when temperatures reach 50 degrees Fahrenheit. After hatching, flea beetles lay their eggs at the base of young plants. Young man

Flea beetles usually feed on plant roots, while adults feed on hollow leaves.

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What do fleas eat?

Different species of flea beetles feed on different plants. Some species of flea beetles are generalists and attack many plants; However, many species are unique and feed on only one type of plant.

Cruciferous plants in the garden, such as broccoli, cauliflower and cabbage, are particularly susceptible to flea infestation. Fleas like to feed on the leaves of night plants such as tomatoes, peppers and eggplants. The pest is also found in other food crops, including squash, corn and lettuce. Some weeds can attract fleas, which is a good reason for weed control.

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What does flea damage look like?

Because flea beetles are so small and move so quickly, they can be hard to spot in your garden. It is usually very easy to tell if you are dealing with fleas from the lesions on your back.

Flea beetle larvae feed on the roots of plants and often damage them, although they can stunt the growth of seedlings. On the other hand, adult fleas can be very destructive. When you care for the plants, they will produce wrinkled leaves and small leaves with small holes and holes.

Seedlings are particularly susceptible to aphid damage because the insects are most active in the spring and are attracted to tender young leaves. Full-sized plants are usually resistant to aphids; However, the leaves don't look pretty. The real problem with flea beetles is that they can transmit many common plant diseases, including rust and wilt, which can cause devastation.

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How to get rid of fleas

Once fleas appear in your garden, it's important to act quickly to limit the damage. One of the easiest ways to deal with small fleas is to spray plants with organic insecticidal soap or neem oil. These spray leaves should be used in the evening after sunset. If you want to make your own antibacterial soap, simply mix a few drops of castile soap in a gallon of water and add a tablespoon or two of neem oil.

Kaolin clay is another useful organic treatment option for aphids and other plant pests. To apply, mix kaolin clay powder with water according to label directions. Then spray the mixture on the affected plants on a dry day. Once set, kaolin clay makes it difficult for pests to eat.

plants, and also prevents spawning.

Flea prevention tips

The key to controlling fleas and other garden pests is proper garden care and plant selection.

If your garden has experienced fleas in previous years, be sure to remove any damaged plant debris before replanting. Also, consider fertilizing the soil if the infestation is severe.
Install floating bed covers in early winter to keep fleas and other insects out of the garden.
In spring, the planting of seeds and seedlings is delayed for several weeks. This can cause aphids to multiply and protect your new plants.
Companion planting is an easy and natural way to repel fleas. For example, these insects will avoid aromatic plants such as catnip and onions, and will often avoid nearby plants as well.
Plant flowering plants to attract beneficial insects that naturally feed on fleas. Good options include planting dill and lemon grass next to the vegetables you want to protect.
Plant traps such as radishes to attract fleas from high-value foods and protect greens from spoilage.

Related: 9 Tips for Growing Companion Vegetables to Increase Yield

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