There are tiny holes in my eggplant foliage. What should I do?

Question:

There are tiny holes in my eggplant foliage. What should I do?

Answer:

The tiny holes are likely due to flea beetles.  Flea beetles are the most common pest of eggplant in the home garden.  Adults are tiny, shiny, black beetles.  They possess large hind legs that enable them to jump.  Flea beetles eat small, round holes in the eggplant foliage, resulting in “shothole” damage.  Minor flea beetle damage will have little effect on crop yields.  If significant damage begins to appear, treat plants with an insecticide.  As always, carefully read and follow label directions when using pesticides.