Monitor your indoor plants for flea beetle activity (or just move them out temporarily). There are a ton of DIY flea beetle traps that you can make at home for cheap. A Flea beetles are tiny beetles 2-3mm long, which jump like fleas when disturbed. Don’t overwater though, this will bring in other pests like booklice and clover mites and raise the humidity in your yard. But if you have flea beetles eating up your crops on a farm, row covers are something to consider. They breed quickly and can bring up a huge population very fast which can be a serious threat to younger plants. This makes them a very destructive pest, especially for young plants that aren’t established yet. They’re found in both flowers, ornamental plants, shrubs, and a variety of vegetables. It may work out well for indoor plants where air circulation is poor. However, the small benefit of killing weeds doesn’t outweigh their destructive behavior of killing crops. You’ll want to check out your home from the outside and caulk or seal up any crevices you come across. Beetles do have a large number of parasites and bugs that prey on them: You can attract predatory wasps and tachinid flies by using specific flowers. You have flea beetles because your garden provides a favorable environment for them to live in. Flea bites are most common on the lower legs, such as the feet and ankles. And these beetle nymphs are out to ruin the harvest. You want to avoid anything with commercial compounds that have lingering toxic residues. Find one that’s safe for plants and apply it as directed. No “how-to’s” about it! However there are some clues these pests leave behind to help identify the origin of the bite. They’ll continue to wait until the ambient temperatures rise to mate and eat. Here are some references you may find useful: You should have the knowledge and tools you need to control, manage, kill, and repel flea beetles from your home and garden! This can be attributed to the fact that fleas are unable to fly, as they don’t have wings. Of these, only the crucifer flea beetle, Phyllotreta cruciferae (Goeze), and the striped flea beetle, Phyllotreta striolata(F.), which were both introduced from Eurasia, are significant pests. Regardless, they’re generally safer than using chemicals and most of them are natural or organic. Handpick adults and larvae, dropping them in a can … Some species have well-developed jaws or mandibles used for catching and consuming prey. You can also consider using sticky stakes, which can go right into the soil to shield it from nymphs. There are different types for different applications. This will kill them from the inside out, kind of like over-inflating a balloon. But your body’s immune reaction to the flea bite causes your skin to swell and become red and itchy and the skin around the bite may become red, sore or painful, and it … Where are getting these bites, in bed, in the garden Etc, are sure they are black. Flea beetles will show up in your garden because that’s the primary attractant. Flea beetles also exhibit different patternings on their back- they can be, The easiest way to identify them and distinguish flea beetles from other beetles like, However, because of their small size, they’re often confused with other, Yes, marigolds are known to be plants that flea beetles hate. Although there’s no solid proof, it’s worth a try if you’re already a coffee drinker. Some of the most effective plants that repel bugs are basil, catnip, strong mint, herbs, thyme, and marigold. And it’s quite passive- once you set up the plants and the predators come to prey on the beetles, that’s it. No single method here suits everyone. The larvae are black shielded worms with a lighter head that’s spotted. The adults come out of the soil and will live through the winter for a few years. You can attract natural predators of flea beetles that eat them up without thinking twice. The biggest concern is that these beetles are potential carriers of disease and pathogens that can absolutely decimate your crops. They’re easy to grow and do well in hardiness zones 2-12. You can wrap a layer around the stem to prevent any beetles from climbing up. Eight flea beetle species are known to feed on canola, mustard, and rapeseed. The content on this site is for informational and educational purposes only and is not intended as professional advice, or to replace a relationship with a qualified professional. You’ll learn about this later. For starters, flea beetles have large hind legs which allow them to make their powerful leaps and jumps. Advertisement. This is what causes the majority of damage to plants from flea beetles. Some types of beetles can fly and others bite. The adults emerge from the soil and continue the life cycle. Control Measures. The adult females will seek out an area to lay single eggs or clusters, depending on the species. But for young crops that are just sporting, they’re a prime target for flea beetle nymphs and can be killed if enough nymphs are eating the roots. They’ll infest larvae and effectively stop the lifecycle from continuing. It’s a natural substance that’s safe for tomatoes, peppers, potatoes, and other veggies. And you definitely want to avoid eating those compounds, right? So you should control and eradicate the flea beetles ASAP. The constant disturbance with water will make the environment less favorable to them. Flea beetles only feed on plant matter and won’t bite humans. Do you have any questions? There are also natural and organic pesticides made just for flea beetles. Bee stings. Use as directed. Currently an active researcher in the pest control industry for the past 8 years- with a focus on using natural and organic methods to eliminate pest problems. Flea beetles are found all around the world, including the UK. It is hard to see them in the soil and among vegetation. This occurs after mating around late spring to early summer. Your email address will not be published. How to Get Rid of Flea Beetles Naturally (Home Remedies), However, their appearance doesn’t stray too far from the beetle, They can be black, orange, tan, or yellow, but may have a mix of colors depending on the species. Keep it up. You can check your zone on the USDA site. You can buy pure neem oil and mix a few drops into a liter of water. This poses a serious threat to seedling plants because they’re extremely vulnerable during this part of their growth. But for your little seedlings, you need to watch out because they gobble them up. You can also wrap a small piece around each branching leaf to protect them from being eaten. You should just spritz a bit on a tiny leaf and see what happens after a day or so. A: Japanese beetles are scarab beetles, a family of beetles that tends to appear in early June and last a couple months. So then I created this site to share everything I’ve learned over the years (and continuing to learn)- natural solutions that are proven to work against the bug that’s bugging you! Like many other types of insect bites, flea bites produce small red bumps that may be itchy and that tend to appear in groups of three or more. If the plant looks OK, then spray the entire thing. This is useful for younger plants who aren’t able to fend off the beetle infestations on their own. They’re especially useful when paired with plants that attract flea beetles like radishes and nasturtium. An exception is the spinach flea beetle, which is 1/4-inch long. 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