Flea Beetles

Flea beetles are small jumping insects that commonly feed on many home gardens early in the growing season. They are particularly attracted to warm, dry weather and tend to launch their most severe attacks on hot, sunny days. When flea beetles begin to feed on a plant's leaves, you will notice tiny pinprick holes on the surface.

There are several effective methods to control or eliminate flea beetles:

• In the spring, consider planting trap crops before sowing crops that are susceptible to flea beetle damage.
• Planting dill, parsley, and lemon balm can attract Braconid wasps, which feed on adult flea beetles and can sterilize the females, preventing them from reproducing.
• Placing yellow sticky traps between rows can help reduce flea beetle populations.
• If their numbers become excessive, you may use diatomaceous earth or neem oil as additional control measures. Avoid applying neem oil during the hottest part of the day as it will burn the plants.

In the fall, it's important to remove garden debris and plow under weeds to reduce potential overwintering sites for flea beetles.