http://By Beatriz Moisset – Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=76292914

Flea beetles are one of the most common plant pests in the horticulture world. Flea beetles are very small, usually dark in color, shiny and may appear metallic. They can cause serious damage to seedlings or young plant leaves (numerous tiny holes) by consuming the leaves. This in return can cause irreparable harm to the plant’s growth and vitality which can lead to the plants’ demise.

Flea beetles are voracious eaters and will consume many vegetable plant varieties such as spinach, broccoli, cabbage, peppers, tomatoes, etc. The beetles generally overwinter beneath the soil line, plant litter and even weeds. There are several common methods of controlling flea beetles; organically by planting strong smelling plants like dill, marigold, mints, sage, onions, hyssop and rosemary or utilizing neem oil and/or diatomaceous earth. Insect fabric covers will only be effective if used before the emergence of the beetles so young seedlings should be protected immediately. You can also plant a sacrificial crop to avert the beetles from your main crops or apply a thick layer of mulch around the seedlings to keep the beetles buried underneath the soil.