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Use rotation planting. Don't plant same crop in same bed next year.
Dusting plants with Diatomaceous earth, ashes, ground limestone, or even flour has been used successfully.
Homemade sticky traps work well. Flea beetles are attracted to colors of white and yellow. For white traps cut milk jugs sides, other white plastic containers, or styrofoam meat trays into pieces about four to six inches square. Coat pieces with something sticky. Petroleum jelly, lard, grease and non-setting glue have all been found useful. Wash off captured beetles and reuse.
For a yellow trap take flypaper and attach it to something solid like a lightweight board that can be set upright or heavy cardboard attached to a wooden stake.
Some people have found beer traps successful.
For plants that don't need insect pollination, cover beds of seedlings with row covers or gauze-like material to prevent beetle entry.
Flea beetles like hot, dry soil. Misting or fine watering to keep top soil moist helps as do mulches.
Plant beets, carrots, chard, radishes, spinach and other cool-loving crops a couple of weeks later. These also make effective trap crops to protect other plants.
Natural repellents consist of nicotinia, catnip, and wormwood. Make a tea and spray affected crop. Another natural repellent is a garlic and hot pepper spray. Flea beetles hate this combination and will quickly leave. Reapply after watering or rain.
If all else fails, insecticides make from plants like Rotenone can be applied.
For more information on organic flea beetle and insect control:
http://www.apluswriting.net/garden/fleabeetle.htm
Marilyn Pokorney Freelance writer of science, nature, animals and the environment. Also loves crafts, gardening, and reading. Website: http://www.apluswriting.net