Generally flea beetle damage is considered minor - with the possible exception of eggplants as they love to turn eggplant leaves into lace - unless you have a MAJOR infestation of them. Personally I don't worry about treating for them.

Dave

Great, thanks very much. It doesn't seem like a very bad infestation, so I'll do my favorite thing -- nothing. ;)

jayco,

I respectfully disagree with Dave. Flea beetles are a pest that need attention; like any other invader, they will continue to multiply in an exponential manner. I am in zone 5, specifically in the front range region of Colorado. We had heavy rain in May, which put a damper on early insect activity, however June has been HOT, so the flea beetle population has exploded. I help at least 6 people per day with flea beetle infestations on their beloved vegetable gardens (infestations often characterized and diagnosed by the pin-holes in the leaves---almost like they got shot with a little shotgun--- and this particular critter tends to focus on one species of plant until they thoroughly and collectively contribute to its demise, and then they move on to the next most adjacent (and tasty) species they can find.

Keep an eye on them. If there are any increased signs of damage, treat the leaves with something. I would recommend an organic solution, like spinosad A or D, OR Neem oil blended pyrethrins (be careful with neem oil during the heat of the day---b/c it is an oil, it has a magnifying effect, and could burn foliage like a magnifying glass- I would recommend applying such a product during the evening hours, especially when flea beetles are prevalent.

Good luck! If you use something safer (less synthetically-based) expect to make at least a couple of applications, a few days apart, to make the invaders retreat for good!

Harlow

I had a really bad problem with them earlier this season. They were shredding my tomatoes, not only the eggplant and peppers. They recently seem to have declined in number significantly, but when the problem did not seem to be subsiding - I began to look up organic or low impact controls for flea beetles and I actually found one which claims a very good efficacy.

Beneficial nematodes which can be bought from a few online sources - just Google "beneficial nematodes". They do not go after the adult flea beetles, instead they attack the flea beetle when it is in it's larval stage - at which time they live in the soil and feed on the plant roots. Since you are killing them off before they can prey on the plant leaves and slowing the damage they do to the plant roots - it seemed like a great idea.

It should be noted that they also attack a large number of detrimental insects, and leave most beneficials (like earthworms) alone.

I haven't tried it yet because my problem subsided with time, but I've read good things from reputable sources (universities, etc.) that they do indeed work.