Flea beetles bumper year??

Ive had to pull up all my cauliflower and cakabrese plants because of them. There was no hope of recovery.

Actually Ive never been aware of them before so I guess yes - this is their year.

🙁

I have them on a pot of Nasturtiums. I hadn't heard of them so was interested in your post. I had thought they were black fly and considered spraying them but didn't want to damage any pollinators on the flowers. It is raining at the moment, but I shall be disposing of the plants ASAP, they are ruined anyway.

After years of this I now plant out rocket in September when they seem to subside, hopeless trying to get rid of them.

how have you identified them?

Thanks for your replies, and commiserations to those who are having to ditch plants because of the pesky Flea beetles.. Jaxjacky, I will definitely try planting them out in September - thanks for the tip.

whyDelilahwhy I have been growing veg for a long time and am used to turning a blind eye to Flea beetles if they haven’t done too much damage, so feel pretty confident I know what they are. Often seen on brassicas & radishes. Btw,, they jump if disturbed, unlike black fly… hope that helps…

Woollywoman thanks, yes, we have them too, looked up online, was only when you said they jumped! beastly little things, perfect weather conditions maybe, thanks

Sympathy, whyDelilahwhy! Yes, they must love the heat and dry conditions… sigh…

What about trying neem oil, teaspoon of dish soap, cool water, mixed, then fine spray all over- but not sure about salad stuff

They have decimated the nasturtiums this year.

Thanks for the suggestion, Mt61, and sorry to hear about your nasturtiums, whywhywhy.

I watched Gardeners’ World on catchup on the weekend, and Monty said that rocket doesn’t like the heat, so that can’t be helping…