Protect Your Garden: Flea Beetles

Bonnie Plants

4 Jun 202101:03

Summary

TLDRThis 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.

Outlines

00:00

🐞 Flea Beetles: Identification and Control

This paragraph discusses the identification and control of flea beetles in gardens. Flea beetles are tiny, shiny, and mostly black insects that are slightly larger than a pinhead and jump like fleas when disturbed. They cause damage by creating small holes in leaves, particularly on young seedlings. To prevent and control flea beetles, it is recommended to plant seedlings later in the season and use flea beetle repellents such as French marigolds, lavender, and mint. Protective row covers can also be used to keep them out. Ortho Insect Mite-N-Disease Stream 1 is suggested for spraying on adult beetles as soon as they are spotted. Keeping the garden clean is another tip to prevent flea beetles from finding hiding places. For more information on protecting the garden, viewers are directed to visit bonnieplants.com and ortho.com.

Mindmap

Keywords

💡Flea Beetles

Flea beetles are tiny, shiny, and mostly black insects slightly larger than a pinhead. They are known for their jumping behavior, similar to fleas, when disturbed. In the context of the video, flea beetles are pests that can cause significant damage to a garden, particularly by feeding on young seedlings and creating small holes in leaves. The video emphasizes the importance of identifying and controlling flea beetles to protect garden plants.

💡Flea Beetle Damage

Flea beetle damage refers to the holes and marks left on plant leaves by flea beetles as they feed. The video describes this damage as 'leaves riddled with small holes,' which is a clear sign of flea beetle activity. Understanding this type of damage is crucial for gardeners to identify the presence of flea beetles and take appropriate action to protect their plants.

💡Seedlings

Seedlings are young plants that have recently germinated from seeds. The video mentions that flea beetles 'especially enjoy dining on young seedlings,' making them particularly vulnerable to damage. Protecting seedlings is a key strategy in controlling flea beetles, as they represent the future growth of the garden.

💡Flea Beetle Repellers

Flea beetle repellers are plants that can deter flea beetles from infesting a garden. The video suggests using French marigolds, lavender, and mint as examples of such repellers. These plants are believed to have properties that make them unattractive to flea beetles, thus helping to protect nearby seedlings and other plants from their damaging effects.

💡Protective Row Covers

Protective row covers are physical barriers used in gardening to shield plants from pests, including flea beetles. The video recommends using these covers to 'keep these miscreants out,' referring to flea beetles. By covering the plants, gardeners can prevent flea beetles from reaching and damaging the seedlings.

💡Ortho Insect Mite-N

Ortho Insect Mite-N is a product mentioned in the video for controlling flea beetles. It is described as 'ready to use' and should be sprayed 'as soon as you spot them,' referring to the flea beetles. This product is part of the gardener's arsenal against flea beetles, providing a chemical means to control their population.

💡Garden Cleanliness

Garden cleanliness is the practice of keeping a garden free from debris and clutter that could provide hiding places for pests like flea beetles. The video advises to 'keep your garden clean, so flea beetles have nowhere to hide.' Maintaining a clean garden is an essential preventive measure that complements other control methods.

💡Bonnie Plants

Bonnie Plants is a company mentioned in the video that likely specializes in providing plant materials and gardening solutions. The video suggests using 'Bonnie Plants' as a source for flea beetle repelling plants, indicating a collaboration or recommendation for gardeners seeking to protect their gardens from pests.

💡Ortho

Ortho is another company referenced in the video, which is known for producing gardening and pest control products. The video specifically mentions 'ortho insect miten' as a product to control flea beetles, highlighting the company's role in providing solutions for garden pest management.

💡Seasonal Planting

Seasonal planting refers to the practice of planting at the optimal time of year for each plant species. The video suggests 'planting seedlings later in the season' as a strategy to avoid flea beetle damage, as this may coincide with a time when flea beetle populations are lower, thus reducing the risk of infestation.

💡Garden Protection

Garden protection encompasses all the measures taken to safeguard a garden from pests and diseases. The video's theme revolves around protecting the garden from flea beetles, offering various strategies such as using repellent plants, protective covers, and chemical controls. This concept is central to the video's message, emphasizing proactive garden management.

Highlights

Protect your garden from flea beetles with tips from Bonnie Plants and Ortho.

Flea beetles are tiny, shiny, and mostly black, slightly larger than a pinhead.

They jump like fleas when disturbed, hence their name.

Look for leaves with small holes to identify flea beetle damage.

Flea beetles particularly target young seedlings.

Plant seedlings later in the season to avoid flea beetle damage.

Use flea beetle repelling plants like French marigolds, lavender, and mint.

Protective row covers can be used to keep flea beetles out of your garden.

Ortho insect miten is a ready-to-use solution to spray on adult flea beetles.

Keep your garden clean to eliminate hiding spots for flea beetles.

Bonnie Plants and Ortho provide more information on garden protection.

Visit bonnieplants.com and ortho.com for more tips on protecting your garden.

Flea beetles can be controlled by using specific repelling plants and protective measures.

The use of Ortho insect miten is recommended for effective flea beetle control.

Maintaining a clean garden is crucial for preventing flea beetle infestations.

Delaying the planting of seedlings can help in avoiding flea beetle attacks.

Flea beetle repellers can be an effective preventive measure in your garden.

Utilize protective row covers to shield your plants from flea beetles.

Immediate action with Ortho insect miten is advised upon spotting flea beetles.