Kitchen Garden Forum

Think this the flea beetle on my swede seedlings? If so what can I do about it?

Rub some vaseline, slow drying glue or lard on a piece of wood and slowly pass it closely over the plants. The flea beetles jump up, stick to whatever you have used and then it's up to you what to do with the little beasties. Alternatively, hose them off repeatedly or use an insecticide.

Bane of my life as well! The general advice is to mesh cover them from sowing but it doesn't work, little blighters still get in. Thanks Monika for the vaseline/lard hint. I have not heard that before but makes sense! Too late for my current Pak Choi but planning a re-sow!

And how about an organic insectiside like bug off?

I'll have to try the vaseline trick.
No lard in this house but I guess butter would be equally suitable (anything sticky - I might use some double sided tape)

Not sure if you'd get them with bug off Compo. Little gits jump off from the lightest foot fall & I've actually never seen one, but I'm unsure how long bug off is active just by being on the leaves - might be a deterrent dependent on that though?

I found enviromesh (other brands are available) to be effective against flea beetle. I grew a small row of turnips in one of my raised beds at the start of the season and covered it with mesh. Once the foliage has developed, the little beetles were hopping and jumping all over the surface of the mesh. As it is, I should have let them in as I decided I don't like turnips and put them in the compost heap.

Funny vivienz! x

I've always used vehicle grease it is cheaper than Vaseline.

Barney

Last year I had a real problem but so far this year not too bad. Interestingly Farmers round here have reduced the amount of rape they grow due to neonicotinoids ban which may or may not help with the problem. They seemed to have turned to linseed,
much prettier and less spraying required.
Hilary