Any of you gardeners out there have good solutions for flea beetles? I've tried everything over the years and haven't really found anything great. This year, I solely planted my eggplants in pots. A nice little variety - Little Orlando - that have been very productive. I have kept them in pots, elevated off the ground and pretty well watered. Partial shade ( I read that's good for potted eggies). Now, for the first time this year, I have tons of them on my eggplant! Yes, the plants are mature and if well watered should be able to withstand them, but does anyone have a good solution?

I've used diatomaceous earth, with little effect. Used plastic sheeting. Can't think of anything else...

Some think tobasco sauce works.  Nothing ventured?  Gardenweb might be a better place for you to get an answer.  Lots of veggie growers there.

JD and I have noticed this bug around, and finally today I ID'd it looking at California insects.  Man, we have a lot of them.  This one doesn't eat bugs.  It's called The Cow Killer, but it doesn't do that.  It's really a wasp with an excruciating sting.  Guess we'll be showing it proper respect from now on.
 

Suzi

Suzi - the cow killer looks awesome! To look at.....

If you don't mind using chemicals, Seven works great.  If you are an organic gardener like me, then horticultural oil.

I second the Seven Dust. I had been invaded by the beetles last year before they had fruit starting to grow. After I dusted the plants the beetles were gone. I didn't have a re-infestation the rest of the summer. That was the only time I used a pesticide last year. I try to not use any chemicals at all but sometimes you need a little help.

I've dealt with them for years. Like you, I have used DE, it helps a little. I grow organic so I don't use much else. The last couple of years I have just let things be, it's mostly cosmetic. You can always plant some trap plants, which basically amounts to planting something they go nuts for(like mustard) somewhere else in your garden. I suppose if you had your trap plants in a pot you could even use a systemic on them so the little bastards that eat you trap plant fly off and die.

Also,

Guinea Fowl if you like birds, they are insect eating machines.... 

Spinosid based products are organic and very effective.  I use Captain Jack's Deadbug Brew by Bonide.

All good advice, thanks everyone. I try to go organic, if possible. This year it's likely less of an issue because they're now attacking my mature, healthy plants - but today is the first day I noticed them and I HATE flea beetles. Trap plants are a good idea, too. But in years past, I couldn't keep them off my young plants.

COGardener - I would love guinea fowl. They're kinda loud, right? Didn't the Romans use them as watch dogs since they brew up a cackle storm when people come near?

Montgomery garden spray is a good spinosad product.  You can try kaolin clay products as well.  They love eggplant though, I had that issue even with mature plants.