What's eating my beet?

Beet leafminers are the most notorious beet pest, tunneling the leaves while the root swells below. Flea beetles pepper seedling leaves with tiny holes, and slugs attack young plants. In areas with deer and rabbits, foliage is browsed heavily. Row covers at sowing and prompt removal of mined leaves are the most effective defenses.

Pale, blotchy serpentine tunnels in leaves reduce photosynthesis and make foliage unmarketable. Immediately remove and bin mined leaves; cover crops with fine mesh at sowing to exclude the fly.

Clusters of tiny round holes shot through cotyledons and young leaves; heavy attacks can kill seedlings. Row covers over seedlings; kaolin clay spray; delay outdoor sowing slightly to miss peak adult flush.

Chewed seedlings and irregular holes in leaves at or near soil level, with slime trails. Iron phosphate bait around rows; hand-pick after dark; sow under fleece to give seedlings a head start.

Foliage browsed down to stubs; rabbits can remove entire seedlings overnight. Net or fence the bed; use motion-activated deterrents; a low wire-mesh perimeter fence deters rabbits effectively.