on Sat Jun 22 00:58:16 1996
blissv@nmhu.campus.mci.net (Vicki Garland) wrote:
re: flea beetles..
[ snipped & pasted ]
> ...Does anyone have any ideas for getting rid of flea beetles?
> They riddle the leaves of bok choi, mizuna, arugula, chinese cabbage
Hi Vicki (and other PC-heads);
Thanks for your "Gardening with Vicki" post a few days ago. I enjoyed it.
Have you tried Insecticidal Dusts ? I've used wood ashes and bone meal and
it seems to help to reduce the damage. A woman once recommended a foliar
spray of manure tea, but I haven't tried that yet.
Although it may not be an option for you in the US Southwest, planting in
early spring/autumn so that the brassicas only see cool weather seems to
help as well.
There is a discussion of "Neem-oil extracts" ( marketed as Margosan-O in
the US) which has proven effective in the excellent book:
Common-Sense Pest Control
Least-toxic solutions for your home, garden, pets and community
by Helga & William Olkowski, Sheila Daar
along with a discussion of how the insecticidal dusts work.
Bon chance.
--
Rob Tom
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be417@FreeNet.Carleton.ca
Kanata, Ontario, Canada