The best way to treat cabbage for flea beetles at home: medications and folk remedies

Growing cabbage is a complex and labor-intensive process. This crop is often attacked by pests. Therefore, many gardeners wonder how to treat cabbage against flea beetles. Chemicals, biological agents, and folk remedies can be used to combat these pests. Mechanical methods of insect control are also highly effective.

Characteristics and varieties of cabbage flea beetle

Flea beetles are small pests that cause ragged holes in cabbage leaves. They are no more than 1.8-3.5 millimeters long.

There are several varieties of these insects:

1. Light-legged fleas. These are the most common flea beetles. They live in the southern regions of Russia. The pest is about 3.5 millimeters long. Flea beetles lay their eggs on leaf blades.
2. Black flea. Also known as the southern cruciferous flea, the flea's body has a metallic sheen and is no longer than a human fingernail.
3. Wavy fleas. These insects are found in almost all regions of the country. However, they are quite rare in the south. A characteristic feature of fleas is the tapering yellow stripes on their elytra.
4. Blue. These insects are found in the Caucasus and Siberia. Their distinctive features include long antennae and a blue back.
5. Notched. This pest lives in the Far East. These fleas lay their eggs in cavities they chew around the roots of cabbage plants.

Signs of plant damage

To identify pests, simply inspect the cabbage. After a flea beetle attack, small holes appear on the leaves. The damaged areas turn yellow. If the larvae attack the root system, the cabbage wilts.

Fleas themselves are easily visible to the naked eye. When touched, they begin to jump vigorously. If fleas are detected, immediate action is required. Otherwise, the colony will spread throughout the entire property.

Why are insects dangerous for cabbage beds?

Adult flea beetles feed only on leaves, while young ones attack the cabbage root system. When introduced to a garden plot, the insects initially attack weeds. However, under favorable conditions, they multiply rapidly, infesting the entire garden. In just 2-3 days, the pest consumes all seedlings and young plants.

Leaves covered with flea beetles dry out quickly. Besides cabbage, pests can attack turnips, radish, horseradish.

How to treat bushes

To control cabbage flea beetles, you need to treat the cabbage promptly. A variety of methods are used for this.

Powdering

The procedure is carried out in the morning or evening, when the leaves are covered with dew. However, the protection will only last until the first rain. Use no more than 30 grams of powder per square meter of area.

To make the procedure easier, use a cheesecloth bag. Shake it over the cabbage or between rows. Cabbage beds can be treated with the following substances:

• tobacco dust;
• tooth powder;
• fine sand;
• slaked lime;
• wood ash;
• red or black pepper;
• mustard powder.

Spraying

Cabbage can be sprayed against fleas with decoctions and infusions. These remedies are only effective in the initial stages of infestation. To make a decoction using carrot tops, take 4 kilograms of the tops and 10 liters of water. Let it steep, then mix with 40 grams of laundry soap. Combine the prepared solution with water in equal proportions.

Vinegar is highly effective: mix 2 tablespoons of the solution with 10 liters of water. This mixture should only be used in warm weather.

A beneficial decoction can be made using eggshells. Mix them with 100 grams of walnuts. Pour 2 liters of water over the mixture and simmer for 6 minutes. Then strain the mixture and mix 300 grams of the mixture with 10 liters of water. An ash solution is also effective. Mix 3 kilograms of the mixture with 10 liters of water. Let it sit for 10 days and add 40 grams of soap. Spray the plants with the resulting mixture from a spray bottle.

Control measures

Mechanical methods, chemicals, and folk remedies can help control cabbage flea beetles. This allows every gardener to choose the optimal solution.

Mechanical processing

If there are only a small number of pests, mechanical methods will help get rid of them:

1. During peak insect activity, set traps. Do this between 10:00 AM and 1:00 PM, and between 4:00 PM and 7:00 PM. Apply glue or grease to a strip of paper. Place the trap in areas where flea beetles congregate. You can gently tap the cabbage leaves while doing this. The insects will jump and stick to the paper.
2. You can use rags treated with motor oil. Place the rags on iron supports and arrange them between the rows. Turn them over every two days.
3. Some gardeners vacuum their cabbage. A car vacuum cleaner works well for this purpose.
4. A special shelter will help control flea beetles. It should be made from supports and agrofibre. Additionally, sticky tape can be placed among the plantings. The film will prevent insects from reaching the bushes.

Biological agents

These products are the least harmful to the environment, but they don't always produce the desired results. The most popular biological insecticides for flea control include Actofit and Fitoverm.

Fitoverm is made from the metaplasma of soil-dwelling fungi. Application of the substance results in the death of pests. The product begins to work 10-13 hours after application. Flea beetles die within 3 days. However, Fitoverm does not control insect larvae.

Actofit is also made from elements produced by soil fungi. The active ingredients disrupt the nerve structures of pests, resulting in their death. This product is recommended for use on plant leaves. The mixture should be used immediately after preparation.

The advantage of biological products is that they can be applied multiple times. The active ingredients break down very quickly. They do not accumulate in the soil or plants.

Chemicals

To kill pests, you can use chemicals. Spraying your plants with these products will eliminate fleas quite quickly.

Bi 58

This systemic insecticide and acaricide has contact action. It is used against sucking and chewing pests. It is sold in ampoules. The contents are mixed with 5 or 10 liters of water.

Decis

This versatile product has a broad spectrum of action. It has a contact and stomach effect. To achieve optimal results, spray plants at temperatures no higher than 25 degrees Celsius. Otherwise, a complete protective barrier will not form.

Diazinon

The product is applied to the soil surface during seedling planting. After application, the soil should be worked in. Particular attention should be paid to the root collar area.

Imidalite

To prevent cabbage flea beetles, you can treat the seeds with a product. Seeds should be treated before planting or in advance.

Karate

This product can be used against a wide range of insects. Cabbage should be treated during the growing season. However, it's important to take precautions.

Aktara

To get rid of fleas, you can use Aktara. This product is sold ready-to-use, so there's no need to prepare a working solution. It should be used at the first sign of flea infestation. Plants should be treated in the morning or evening.

Actellic

This product is highly effective. It penetrates the leaf structure and kills the pests. Before applying the product to the cabbage, make a working solution. To do this, mix 2 milliliters of the product with 2 liters of water. This amount is enough for a 10 square meter garden bed. To control fleas, apply the product twice a week.

Bankol

The compound is widely used against fleas. It is available in powder form with an undistinguished odor. After watering the crop, the product is absorbed into the leaves. When ingested by fleas, the substance damages their nervous system.

To prepare the mixture, take 5 grams of the preparation and mix it with 10 liters of water. Use 500 milliliters of the mixture per bush.

Volaton

This product has a broad spectrum of action and helps control cabbage flea beetles. A 30% concentration is typically used. 800 grams of the product is required per hectare.

Folk recipes

Effective folk remedies can help save cabbage at home. It's important to keep in mind that such remedies are only effective in simple cases.

Wood ash

To combat pests, young bushes should be dusted with ash. Apply the mixture only in sunny weather. Apply the mixture at least three times a week.

Tomato tops

To combat flea beetles, you'll need several kilograms of fresh or dried plant tops. Chop them and mix them with hot water. Let them sit for 5-7 hours. Then bring the mixture back to a boil, let it steep, and strain. Before use, mix it with water in equal parts. Add 50 grams of crushed soap to the mixture. Apply the mixture 2-3 times a month.

Solidol

To control the pests, make a small flag out of plywood and treat it with grease. Then walk between the rows, waving the trap. It's important that the grease touches the cabbage leaves. This will attract fleas to the flag and stick to it. Repeat this process 2-3 times.

Tobacco dust

This solution should be mixed with ash in equal proportions. The resulting mixture should be used to dust the plantings and the soil beneath them.

Preventive measures

To prevent flea beetles from multiplying, preventative measures are recommended. This involves following crop rotation rules. Avoid planting cabbage in the same bed for several years in a row. Instead, it should be alternated with vegetables from the nightshade family.

Planting radishes and turnips nearby is not recommended. They belong to the cruciferous family and are therefore also susceptible to flea beetle attacks. Treating seedlings with a vinegar solution is an effective protection. Water the plants with this solution weekly until firm heads form. You can also add strong-smelling agents to the water when watering. Pine or fir oil are good choices.

Cabbage flea beetles dislike strong odors. Therefore, it's recommended to plant tomatoes, garlic, and calendula near the beds. Caraway or marigolds are also good options.

Timely treatment of cabbage for fleas will help control the pests and preserve the crops. A variety of products can be used for this purpose. At the initial stage, biological products or folk remedies will suffice. In advanced cases, chemicals will have to be used.