Be sure to use an organic spray such as an insecticidal soap, neem oil or pyrethrin which are safe to use on food crops. Always follow the directions on the label for proper application. Be sure to spray underneath the leaves where the beetles are feeding. Also important is how close to harvest you can use the spray.
There is no realistic physical way of controlling the root-eating larvae. There are no chemical controls available for adults or larvae. An alternative is to start broad beans off in pots to plant out when large enough to avoid serious damage.
The holes are most likely due to bean leaf beetle feeding. When overwintering, bean leaf beetles emerge and they look for food. Ignore the holes: Bean leaf beetles were feeding on a plant here and there in this soybean field, but entomologists say it's absolutely nothing to worry about.
Mexican bean beetle larvae are yellow, robust, and spiny, and grow to about ½ inch. Adult Mexican bean beetles are small, about ¼ inch long, and have sixteen black spots displayed on their tan yellow bodies. Their bodies change from bright yellow to orange-yellow as they get older.
| Bean leaf beetle |
|---|
| Order: | Coleoptera |
| Family: | Chrysomelidae |
| Genus: | Cerotoma |
| Species: | C. trifurcata |
Diet. The green dock beetle feeds mainly on dock and green sorrel, rarely feeding on other plants in the families Polygonaceae, Brassicaceae, Violaceae, and Boraginaceae. The larvae can only completely develop on Rumex species.
Quick facts. The bean leaf beetle (Cerotoma trifurcata) is a pest of snap beans (also called string beans or green beans). Adult beetles feed on the undersides of leaves, creating round, 1/8 inch diameter holes. They can also feed directly on the pod.
Thankfully, the pests do not bite or spread diseases to humans. However, they do have a terrible scent, especially when crushed. In addition, leaf-footed bugs often gather on warm windowsills or home siding in the fall, becoming eyesores.
Munching BugsBean weevils, darkling beetles, cucumber beetles, lygus bugs and stinkbugs are a few of these munching insects that may be eating holes in your green bean plants. Controlling these munching bugs relies on good sanitation and cultural care.
Pour insecticidal soap into a garden hose sprayer. Spray the foliage and vines of your bean plants to knock insects off of the plants. This method of treatment works well on aphid colonies and spider mites.
During the day, they'll hide in dark and quiet spots. They're a fan of moist spaces, which is why the garden is a perfect environment for them. Earwigs will feed on whatever is nearby, whether it's human food or plants. Some of their favorite garden snacks include squash, potatoes, dahlias, marigolds and beans.
How to Get Rid of Beetles Naturally: 6 Home Remedies
- Peppermint Oil. Mint oil and the plants that contain it are excellent natural pest repellants.
- Neem Oil.
- Insect Traps.
- Pyrethrin.
- Lavender.
- Diatomaceous earth (DE)
Fields kept weed-free by cultivation or herbicides applied two to three weeks before planting help control bean leaf beetle infestations. Season-long weed control helps prevent bean leaf beetles from causing crop damage and harming yields and will help improve the effectiveness of in-season insecticide treatments.
Combating Mexican Bean Beetles
- Use Neem Oil. Neem oil can be purchased as an OMRI (Organic Materials Institute) certified pesticide or fungicide derived from neem seeds.
- Handpick.
- Let Chickens Eat Them.
- Install Row Cover.
- Use Milky Spore Powder.
- Plant Late or Early.
- Try Different Varieties.
- Help Their Predators.
Life CycleOverwinter as adults in various habitats around soybean fields but seem to prefer leaf and plant litter in wooded areas. Beetles begin emerging from overwintering sites in early April at which time they mate and disperse to weedy and brushy areas, especially along roads and ditches.
Plant a trap crop of zinnias or marigolds away from the veggie garden to lure the beetles to tastier fare. Also, interplant garlic or chives among the beans. The strong odor will often deter the beetles. Keep the area around the bean plants free of detritus and remove any damaged or diseased foliage.
The use of homemade insecticidal soap or castor oil soap is another Japanese beetle home remedy worth trying. If all else fails, look towards eradicating their young larva or grubs, which eventually become Japanese beetles. Treat the soil in your lawn and garden with Bt (Bacillus thuringiensis) or milky spore.