Eggplant is a favorite host of multiple species of flea beetles, which are mostly in the genus Epitrix. Flea beetles have chewing mouthparts and feed on leaves, making small, shot-like holes. Their damage is most serious when the plants are small and have just a few leaves.
What is the best pesticide for eggplant?
The insecticides used by vegetable farmers on eggplant include profenofos, triazophos, chlorpyrifos, cypermethrin, and malathion. Residues from their application have been found in both the soils of eggplant farms and in harvested fruits.
Who is eating my eggplants?
Thrips, flea beetles, cutworms, armyworms, aphids, and white flies can also find food in maturing eggplant plants. The treatment for such insects is usually very simple and can be cured in reasonable time.
What is a natural way to get rid of flea beetles?
How to Get Rid of Flea Beetles
- Try this homemade spray to control flea beetles: 2 cups isopropyl alcohol, 5 cups water, and 1 tablespoon liquid soap.
- Dusting leaves with plain talcum powder repels flea beetles on tomatoes, potatoes, peppers, and other plants.
- Use white sticky traps to capture flea beetles as they jump.
What animal eats eggplant leaves?
Eggplant leaves are not very palatable and few animals will choose to eat them unless they are really hungry. While groundhogs are on the bottom of the list, they will eat them if hungry. Rabbits and deer are in the same category, but be advised, unless your fence is over four feet high, it will not keep out the deer.
How do I keep flea beetles off my eggplant?
Prevention/control
For eggplant, drape the row cover over hoops – don’t let the material lay directly on plants. Spray a product like “Surround”, which are repellents made from kaolin clay mixed with water. They create a particle barrier after drying that inhibits flea beetles and greatly reduces feeding.
What are the common pests for eggplant?
Eggplant Pest Management
- American Serpentine Leafminer. American serpentine leafminers feed on a number of crops, including eggplants, and they are present throughout the growing season.
- Aphids.
- Armyworms.
- Melon Thrips.
- Silverleaf Whitefly.
- Tomato Pinworm.
What are the insect pest in eggplant?
The most destructive insect pest of eggplant in the Philippines and other Asian countries is the Eggplant Fruit and Shoot Borer (FSB).
What are the little black bugs eating my eggplant leaves?
A: That’s the work of flea beetles, the bane of eggplants. Flea beetles are tiny black bugs that chew holes in leaves like someone peppered them with miniature buckshot. They’ll attack mustard, radishes and sometimes cole crops, but eggplant is their favorite.
What to put on eggplant leaves to prevent bugs eating OT?
Chemical Control of Eggplant Insects
Following the instructions and safety precautions on the product’s label, use 3/8- to 3/4-fluid ounce of carbaryl-based pesticide for every 1,000 square foot of growing space. Spray your plants thoroughly and repeat applications about once a week until the bugs are gone.
Do coffee grounds deter flea beetles?
Coffee grounds are a good repellent for flea beetles, but to get rid of them, the best and most effective option is diatomaceous earth, which will dehydrate the pests on contact.
What kills flea beetle?
Control Flea Beetles
At the first sign of flea beetles in your garden, turn to a trusted pesticide such as Sevin brand for help. Sevin Insect Killer Ready to Use2 kills flea beetles on listed vegetables on contact to help prevent damage to tender seedlings and maturing plants at the first sign of trouble.
What time of day are flea beetles most active?
Flea beetle damage can advance quickly.
Julie Soroka, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC) research scientist with a specialty in flea beetles, says that on warm and calm days, damage can advance from 25% in the morning to 50% by evening.
Do squirrels eat eggplant leaves?
Other squirrel favorites include beans, squash, cucumbers, and eggplants. Missing plants. You might find remnants of seedlings lying on the soil, or they may completely disappear. Ditto for leaves of perennials.
Do wild rabbits eat eggplant leaves?
Rabbits love eating leafy green vegetables, such as eggplant (aubergine). However, rabbits can also become bored with eating the same foods every day.
Are Eggplants Healthy for Rabbits?
| Nutrient | Carbohydrate |
|---|---|
| Eggplant | 5.88 grams |
| Potato | 17.49 grams |
| Red Tomato | 3.89 grams |
| Green Tomato | 5.1 grams |
What does a flea beetle look like?
What Do Flea Beetles Look Like? Up close, flea beetles look like tiny beetles. They’re shiny, and can appear to be black, brown or even bluish in color. Some species may even have spots or stripes.
What problem is indicated by small circular holes in tomatoes eggplants and potatoes?
Flea beetles make tiny round pinprick holes in tomato, eggplant, pepper and potato leaves, but while eggplant needs the protection of a fabric barrier, tomatoes, peppers and potatoes usually outgrow flea beetle damage. Leaf spots caused by fungi are a much bigger threat to tomatoes.
Does neem oil get rid of flea beetles?
Neem oil and some horticultural oils are also effective at repelling flea beetles.
Does homemade insecticidal soap work?
Insecticidal soap kill harmful insects like mites, aphids, thrips, white flies and immature leafhoppers. The fatty acids in the soap dissolve the insects’ exoskeleton, causing them to dehydrate. Many gardeners turn to this foamy remedy not only because it’s effective, but also because it is more eco-friendly.
Gerardo Gonzalez loves cooking. He became interested in it at a young age, and has been honing his skills ever since. He enjoys experimenting with new recipes, and is always looking for ways to improve his technique.
Gerardo’s friends and family are the lucky beneficiaries of his delicious cooking. They always enjoy trying out his latest creations, and often give him feedback on how he can make them even better. Gerardo takes their input to heart, and uses it to continue refining his culinary skills.