8/31/2023 0 Comments Biscuit beetle flying fleaThey often mimic the structure and appearance of the standard Furniture beetle, so getting the right infestation reports is important to implement correct treatment.Īlthough they aren’t necessarily parasitic, these insects tend to feed on dried foods found in the kitchen and pantry. These are small, oval-shaped beetles with yellowish hair all over their body. Do Biscuit Beetles Bite? What are Biscuit Beetles?īefore we proceed with the preventive measures, it is always ideal we discuss what biscuit beetles are.Start by Finding the Source of the Infestation List of Ways to Get Rid of Biscuit Beetles. ![]() Check out these tips to attract beneficial insects, which will prey on flea beetles.Nasturtium, radishes, and basil can be used as “trap crops” to take the beetles’ focus off of more valuable plants. Flea beetles can be kept away from crops by planting strongly-scented plants such as catnip, sage, mint, or hyssop nearby.They should be used immediately after transplanting, so the pests do not have time to find the plant. Row covers may be successful at keeping these pests out, as long as they are completely sealed.This will also make the soil easier to work the next spring. In the fall, till the garden to unearth any hiding flea beetles.Cut off their food supply by delaying transplanting or planting by a couple of weeks if possible. In the spring, emerging flea beetles will be waiting to feast on your garden.Please contact your local nursery or cooperative extension for further advice. Be extra diligent if your soil has a history of bacterial diseases. Insecticides may be used early in the season but are generally unnecessary in the control of flea beetles on adult plants.Use white sticky traps to capture flea beetles as they jump.Dusting leaves with plain talcum powder repels flea beetles on tomatoes, potatoes, peppers, and other plants.Spray the mixture on the foliage of garden plants that are susceptible to these pests. Test out the mixture on a leaf of the plant, let it sit overnight, then spray the rest of the plant if you don’t notice any adverse effects. Try this homemade spray to control flea beetles: 2 cups isopropyl alcohol, 5 cups water, and 1 tablespoon liquid soap.Therefore, they are still important to consider as pests. Additionally, in leafy crops like lettuce or spinach, the holes can bring down the quality of the leaves. The real danger is that the beetles can spread bacterial diseases, such as wilt and blight, from plant to plant. New leaves are usually damaged first and will have a lacy appearance.įlea beetles usually don’t cause fatal damage to established plants because the leaves are already large enough to survive a few holes. ![]() The holes they make will be round and can quickly ruin leafy greens. Look out for these holes, especially on young seedlings, where damage is most rapid and will cause the most harm. What Flea Beetle Damage Looks LikeĪdult beetles feed on foliage, producing “shotholes” in the leaves. At this time, seedlings are being planted, too, and they are most susceptible to beetle damage.Įggs are laid at the base of plant stems in early summer after the spring feeding period, and larvae feed at the roots. Adult bugs pose the biggest threat early in the planting season as they are emerging, typically when outdoor temperatures reach 50✯ (10☌). Credit: Fotikphoto When Do Flea Beetles Appear?Īdult flea beetles overwinter in brush and wooded areas. To identify flea beetles, it’s easier to look for signs of their damage (described below) than for the beetles themselves. At only 1/16 of an inch in length, flea beetles are very tiny and will quickly spring away-like fleas-if they see you approach! Flea beetle on leaf. Colors range from black to tan, with other, brighter colors mixed in, and the beetles may have a solid, striped, or spotted pattern, depending on the species. Given that there are so many species of flea beetles, they vary in appearance quite a bit.
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