Flea Beetle numbers have increased

Many producers around the area are very familiar with a tiny, hard-shelled pest called a Flea Beetle, known for feasting on a range of different garden vegetables and some crops in the field.

Flea Beetles are very small, black, bronze, bluish or brown to metallic gray. Some species have stripes and all species have large back legs which they use for jumping.

Lately, around Shaunavon there appears to be a big increase in the Flea Beetle population.

Joelle Pappenfus is an Agronomist with the Pioneer Co Op, at their Shaunavon location. She talks about why we're seeing such an increase in the Flea Beetle population.

"Well, over the last couple of years the population has definitely increased. But I think that, this year especially, the canola acres are way up in our area, and that's definitely a host plant for these insects. And I think that's why we're seeing it."

She adds that producers can treat their seed to help control Flea Beetles and practice crop rotation.

There are also domestic and agricultural insecticides that can be used on crops and in gardens.

People are encouraged to talk to an Agronomist regarding treatments that will work best for you.