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Produce => Edible Plants => Topic started by: Crystalmoon on July 30, 2010, 17:47:48

Title: plants suffering from flea beetle attack
Post by: Crystalmoon on July 30, 2010, 17:47:48
Hi everyone, I did post my question on the pests section but havent had any replies so thought I would ask here. I grow my veg organically & wanted to know if there was any way to deter flea beetles that would still result in organic veg?

I made new raised beds, filled with fresh grow bags, covered with fleece at all times except when weeding & up until a week ago I didnt have a single hole in my Pak Choi but now it is absolutely riddled ???

Do you think the flea beetles got in while I was weeding?
Any help really appreciated as I really want to sow alot more autumn/winter crops & want to protect them 
Title: Re: plants suffering from flea beetle attack
Post by: Bugloss2009 on July 30, 2010, 18:12:19
i've never done this but this is what some people do (with broad beans). Get a big card smeared with grease. Pull the card along under the plants whilst tapping them - the flea beetles jump down off the plant onto the board...........that's the theory. Suppose you need a board on both sides, with string on  :)

Regular hoeing around the plants should also help keep them down
Title: Re: plants suffering from flea beetle attack
Post by: GrannieAnnie on July 30, 2010, 20:31:29
I'd be afraid the grease would attract foxes just like bone meal does.
Title: Re: plants suffering from flea beetle attack
Post by: Bugloss2009 on July 30, 2010, 21:00:04
no - you take them away after you've shook the plants (apparently)
Title: Re: plants suffering from flea beetle attack
Post by: Crystalmoon on July 30, 2010, 22:08:04
Thanks so much for your reply Bugloss2009 I will give it a go when I have replanted the beds.
I was so careful to keep everything covered up as much as possible I just havent got a clue where the came from ???