Flea beetle plague.

Community Community Garden Problems Pests Flea beetle plague.

This topic contains 6 replies, has 4 voices, and was last updated by  charles 5 years, 4 months ago.

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  • #47539

    Stringfellow
    Participant

    Anyone else experiencing high volumes of these little fellas this year? I guess the long spell of hot, dry weather has had some influence on this.

    They have caused quite a bit of damage to recent Brussels Sprout plantings here. What’s the best preventative measure for this – mesh, the same as keeping cabbage whites off? Thanks.

    #47541

    charles
    Moderator

    Yes mesh!
    I have taken to covering all my early-summer plantings with mesh, as it prevents so many pests, such as swede midge too.
    I think that insecticides have killed a lot of predators and made the pests stronger in the end, so it’s harder every year for gardeners.

    #47544

    Stringfellow
    Participant

    Many thanks. One to remember for next year, now hoping the sprouts will pull through this time. If it’s not one thing, it’s t’other….

    #47752

    Jacqui
    Participant

    What sort of mesh do you use?
    Would it also act a shading?

    I have delayed planting out purple sprouting and kale due to the heat and lack of water.
    They are in modules growing in a cold frame covered with green shading mesh at present where I can water them easily.
    Thanks for all your advice.

    Jacqui from Gloucestershire

    #47756

    charles
    Moderator

    Hi Jacqui and yes mesh slows the flea beetles a little but many sneak under or through or are already in soil. Many of my brassicas look less than perfect just now!
    Good idea to delay, plant this w/e with rain forecast, will enable healthier growth and flea beetles reduce in August.

    #51239

    kioralaura
    Participant

    Can you tell me which is the best sort of mesh for flea beetles, cabbage aphids and similar other aphids please Charles – there seem to be so many, and so pricey, so your experience would be invaluable for me, thanks.

    #51240

    charles
    Moderator

    Yes almost too much choice..
    Flea beetles are difficult because I think they are often in the soil, or on leaves already, when a cover is placed over.
    Standard guage enviromesh reduces damage but does not stop it. It’s what I use.
    Flea beetles get worse very year and for longer in the winter too. I blame insecticides for interrupting pest predator balance.
    By the way thanks for your post, the first on this updated site.

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