Protect Your Garden: Flea Beetles

Summary

This video from Bonnie Plants and Ortho teaches gardeners to identify flea beetles, which are tiny, shiny, and black insects that jump when disturbed. They damage plants by creating small holes in leaves, particularly on young seedlings. To prevent and control flea beetles, plant seedlings later, use repellent plants like marigolds, lavender, and mint, employ protective row covers, and spray with Ortho Insect Mite-n. Keep the garden clean to minimize hiding spots. Visit bonnieplants.com and ortho.com for more gardening tips.

Takeaways

• 🐞 Flea beetles are small, shiny, and black insects that are slightly larger than a pinhead.
• 🚫 They are known to jump like fleas when disturbed, hence their name.
• 🍃 Look for leaves with small holes as a sign of flea beetle damage, especially on young seedlings.
• 🌱 Plant seedlings later in the season to avoid flea beetle damage during their most vulnerable stage.
• 🌼 Use flea beetle repellent plants like French marigolds, lavender, and mint to deter them.
• 🌿 Employ protective row covers to shield your plants from flea beetles.
• 💧 Apply Ortho Insect Mite'n to control flea beetles once they appear.
• 🧹 Maintain a clean garden to eliminate hiding spots for flea beetles.
• 📚 Learn more about garden protection by visiting bonnieplants.com and ortho.com.

Q & A

What are flea beetles and how can you identify them?

Flea beetles are tiny, shiny, and mostly black insects that are slightly larger than a pinhead. They can be identified by their jumping behavior, similar to fleas, when disturbed.

How can you recognize damage caused by flea beetles on plants?

Flea beetle damage is characterized by leaves that have many small holes. This damage is often seen on young seedlings, which flea beetles particularly favor.

What plants are recommended as flea beetle repellents according to the script?

The script suggests planting French marigolds, lavender, and mint around your seedlings to repel flea beetles.

How can protective row covers be used to prevent flea beetles from damaging your garden?

Protective row covers can be used to shield your plants from flea beetles by covering the seedlings, thus preventing the beetles from reaching them.

What product is mentioned in the script for controlling adult flea beetles?

Ortho Insect Mite and Disease Stream 1 Ready To Use is mentioned as a product to spray on adult flea beetles to control them.

At what stage of the season should you plant seedlings to avoid flea beetles?

The script advises planting seedlings later in the season to avoid flea beetles, as they are less active during this time.

Why is it important to keep your garden clean in relation to flea beetles?

Keeping your garden clean is crucial because it removes potential hiding places for flea beetles, making it harder for them to lay eggs and reproduce.

What can you do to learn more about protecting your garden from flea beetles?

You can visit Bonnie Plants' website at bonnieplants.com and Ortho's website at ortho.com to learn more about protecting your garden from flea beetles.

Are there any specific times when flea beetles are more active that gardeners should be aware of?

The script does not specify particular times when flea beetles are more active, but it does suggest planting seedlings later in the season to avoid them.

What is the significance of flea beetles jumping like fleas in terms of garden protection?

The jumping behavior of flea beetles makes them difficult to control, which is why it's important to use preventative measures such as repellent plants and protective covers.