[Lulu]

I have met a new pest - the black flea beetle - which is making lace out of my Broccoli    How do I stop it - do general bug sprays help??  I have noticed it can't get in enviromesh thankfully as my caulis are doing well.  Also noticed it hasn't touched my PSP which shares the same net and bed as the green Broccoli.  Does it only like the young leaves? Any help or link would be appreciated - thanks
Lulu

PS isn't it amazing that every year in gardening you learn something new - even if it is a new pest 

[angelavdavis]

The only organic solution I have found is to smear a piece of card with vaseline, leaving the top and bottom inch clear, hold onto the top inch of the card while flapping the bottom inch over the plants - the beggars jump and get stuck to the card.  Dispose of the card in the bin.

You will need to do this a couple of times until you have cleared the worst of them.

I imported them last year onto the plot on a load of cow manure I got delivered - left my salad crops, pak choi, radishes and turnips in tatters!  They are supposed to cease to be a problem come August but with the way the weather is going this year - its anyone's guess if this will be the case this year!

The RHS say this about them: http://apps.rhs.org.uk/advicesearch/Profile.aspx?pid=510

There are other non-organic sprays, etc but I don't know what these are.  I am sure someone will come along with suggestions.

[potatogrower]

i've had them too and damaged most of my crops apart from peas, onions and garlic. not happy at all. one control is yellow sticky card hung in a low position and like mentioned just move your hands and hopefully they jump and get caught.

[Growster...]

They've demolished a couple of PSB here too, Lulu!

Will be down there this afternoon with the sticky stuff methinks!

Good advice Angela!

[Lulu]

I think I have some of the yellow sticky stuff as well - will give it a go .  Thanks everyone.

[Growster...]

I think I have some of the yellow sticky stuff as well - will give it a go .  Thanks everyone.

It does actually work quite well, Lulu!

I used a smearing of old car grease, spread very thinly on the lid of a margarine tub, and went round the brassicas, tapping them gently, grease side down.

Got about thirthy of the blighters, stuck to the grease, so then they went into the water butt, face down, then turned upwards under water, so the lid still had a little water in, and floated!

But the beetles didn't float...=0)