Plant Problem Diagnostic
Flea Beetles: How to Identify and Manage Them
The short answer
Flea beetles are small (about 1/8 inch), shiny, hard-shelled beetles that jump like fleas when disturbed. Adults chew small round pits and holes in leaves, giving foliage a shot-hole or peppered look. High numbers can kill or stunt seedlings, but once plants have several true leaves they tolerate feeding well. The most reliable least-toxic control is a floating row cover installed before beetles emerge and sealed at the edges so beetles cannot get underneath.
Good sanitation (removing crop debris where beetles overwinter), trap crops, and yellow or white sticky traps also help. Because older plants outgrow the damage, protecting seedlings is the priority. If seedlings are being killed despite covers, or you cannot confirm the pest, check with your local Extension office before treating.
How to identify flea beetle damage
Look for numerous tiny round holes and pits across leaves, especially on young plants and cabbage-family crops, eggplant, and radish. The beetles themselves are small and jump away when you approach.
- Shiny beetles about 1/8 inch that jump when disturbed
- Leaves peppered with small pits and shot-holes
- Seedlings hit hardest; established plants tolerate feeding
Least-toxic management, in order
- 1Floating row covers — Install before beetles emerge and secure the edges so beetles cannot get inside; this excludes them from the crop.
- 2Sanitation — Remove old crop debris so beetles lose overwintering shelter.
- 3Sticky traps and trap crops — White or yellow sticky traps catch adults; a trap crop can draw beetles away from the main planting.
- 4Time plantings — Let plants grow past the vulnerable seedling stage; established plants tolerate several beetles per plant.
When to escalate
Escalate only if seedlings are being killed or stunted despite row covers, since older plants rarely need treatment. Contact your regional Extension office to confirm the pest and discuss options before applying any product.
→ On flowering or fruiting crops that need pollinators, remove row covers at flowering; keep them on non-fruiting greens through harvest.
Sources
Reviewed 2026-07-18. We cite university Extension, government, and established horticultural sources — and never invent pesticide rates or dangerous treatments.
- University of Minnesota Extension — Flea beetles — Flea beetle size, jumping behavior, shot-hole damage, and seedling vulnerability versus tolerance of older plants
- University of Maryland Extension — Row Covers — Floating row covers exclude flea beetles when installed early and sealed at the edges