Potato Flea Beetles..

[Greenthumb18]

I think I may have a problem with flea beetles on my potato plants. There are these tiny black bugs everywhere on my plants, and they keep jumping around. Not sure what I should use to control them? Maybe DE? I've never had a problem with these pests before.

Thanks so much!

 

[lesa]

While they will eat holes in the leaves, they don't damage the crop. I never do anything with mine... I did try planting an eggplant (as a sacrificial lamb). It didn't do much good. I thought since the flea beetles were so attracted to eggplant- they might leave the other stuff alone...

 

[digitS']

I used Pyrethrin/Rotenone for years to protect mostly the brassicas from the flea beetles. I never felt I had to spray the potatoes and only the tomatoes on a couple of seasons.

(Eggplant needs protection from everything !)

This year, I sprayed the tomatoes and eggplants with spinosad. It is recommended for flea beetles and seemed to really help.

Steve

 

[Greenthumb18]

Thanks so much lesa and digits!

Yes, I know I have that Rotenone insecticide in my garage. I'll try to get some of it sprayed onto the potatoes just in case. Although I really don't like having to use chemicals in the garden, its my only choice. How much you think I should use per gallon, maybe 2 teaspoons?

 

[digitS']

Just from memory, Greenthumb, I believe that is right.

Be sure to check the label. I know, sometimes the bottles get wet and the paper sticks together.

It seems that all the insecticide manufactures have their labels on the internet now. It may be required of them.

Steve

 

[Greenthumb18]

Just from memory, Greenthumb, I believe that is right.

Be sure to check the label. I know, sometimes the bottles get wet and the paper sticks together.

It seems that all the insecticide manufactures have their labels on the internet now. It may be required of them.

Steve

I've had that insecticide for a few years now, the label might of been wet and lost. But I will check online for the dosage.

Thank You Steve

 

[wifezilla]

De can disrupt it's breeding cycle. If the infestation is bad, though, I might resort to nukes . Out here they don't just nibble at the leaves, they totally defoliate. I lost a whole crop of radishes to those darn things before I found a local source for DE.