Flea beetles

Discussion in 'Fruit and Veg Gardening' started by Cayuga Morning, Jun 5, 2021.

  1. Cayuga Morning

    Cayuga Morning Strong Ash Plants Contributor

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    I think my potted veggies have flea beetles. Anyone know if any organic way of dealing with them?
     
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  3. eileen

    eileen Resident Taxonomist Staff Member Moderator Plants Contributor

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    Try this homemade spray to control the flea beetles:
    2 cups rubbing alcohol,
    5 cups water
    1 tablespoon liquid soap

    You could also try dusting the affected plants with talcum powder (non scented) it helps repel flea beetles on tomatoes, potatoes, peppers and other plants.
     
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  4. marlingardener

    marlingardener Happy

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    Cayuga, Eileen's spray works really well. It needs to be re-applied after a rain. Make sure you use liquid soap, not detergent. This spray works on almost all soft-bodied insects, so your ladybugs are safe!
     
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  5. Logan

    Logan Strong Ash

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    Be careful spraying when there's bees around do it in the evening when they've gone for the night.
     



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  6. Cayuga Morning

    Cayuga Morning Strong Ash Plants Contributor

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    Thanks all. I'll try it.

    Ok. The deed is done. Fingers crossed.
     
    Last edited: Jun 6, 2021
  7. Cayuga Morning

    Cayuga Morning Strong Ash Plants Contributor

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    This is the damage. Does it look like flea beetle damage? I did see one teeny tiny black beetle on the leaves. PXL_20210606_110937979.MP_compress62.jpg PXL_20210606_110947503.MP_compress85.jpg
     
  8. carolyn

    carolyn Strong Ash

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    no. that doesn't look like flea beetle damage to me. nor have I ever seen flea beetle on tomatoes. eggplant, potatoes, things with thick sturdy leaves but not tomatoes. that actually looks more like environmental damage such as too hot of water being sprayed on the foliage when first running the "solar warmed" hose. pick those leaves off and put them in the trash. don't compost them or leave them on the ground... just incase it is a fungal or viral issue.
     
  9. Cayuga Morning

    Cayuga Morning Strong Ash Plants Contributor

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    Thanks Carolyn.
     
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  10. hoprah

    hoprah New Seed

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    It isn't only fungal diseases that must be fought to protect crops and plant health. Pests don't give rest to cultivated plants either. Aphids, onion and carrot flies, Colorado beetles - this is not a complete list of insects eager to eat cultural plants. In addition, they are carriers of fungal spores from one plant to another. So combating them must be practical and include agronomic measures and pest control products https://www.growgardener.com/best-rear-tine-tiller-reviews/. Use only healthy seed and planting material.
     
    Last edited: Nov 4, 2021
  11. Tetters

    Tetters Young Pine

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    I think it looks as if your plants have one of the tomato viruses. If this is the case, the plants need to be burned, and all tools and surroundings treated with a disinfectant - a weak bleach solution would do.
     
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  12. Dirtmechanic

    Dirtmechanic Young Pine

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  13. Logan

    Logan Strong Ash

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    I think that they're just old leaves and nothing to worry about. Are they just on the bottom of the plants?
    If it's blight it would effect the stems as well.
     
  14. Tetters

    Tetters Young Pine

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    I don't think blight and mosaic virusus are the same thing Logan. I think mosaic viruses (there are a few) are caused by transmission from infected tools, or aphids spreading the disease, and I believe that tomatoes are also not very happy with chemical insecticides - they can cause the plants more trouble than help. I hope someone will correct me if I'm wrong but I think that blight has to do with climatic conditions. :confused:
     
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  15. Logan

    Logan Strong Ash

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    Yes it could be a virus of some kind.
     

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