Flea beetles have little back legs that help them jump around like a flea, but they are, in fact, beetles. 

Flea beetles like to eat young leaves and seedlings early in the season, especially of the Brassica family —  broccoli, cabbage, kale, radishes, as well as the nightshade family of plants such as tomatoes, peppers and eggplants.

Adult beetles feed on foliage, producing “shotholes” in the leaves. Look out for these small round holes especially on young seedlings, where damage can stress plants and stunt growth. 

Flea beetles are repelled by catnip, sage, mint, hyssop, nasturtium and basil — all terrific additions to a plot. Nasturtiums are fast growing in the heat and produce edible flowers!