Question
I have small black insects on my alyssum. They seem to suck the juices from the plant...all the blooms are gone.  The insect has a hard shell (the wings)and they hop and fly.  They are very small and tear drop shaped.   Someone told me they are flea beetles. How do I get rid of them?

Answer
Fleas are carnivores that live on the blood of different mammals.  They could never survive on a diet of Alyssum or even Spinach.

Aphids are the only pest that Alyssum lovers ever worry about.  You did not mention where in the planet you are growing this Alyssum, so I'll just forward you the link to one of my favorite illustrated Insect Identification Websites, set up courtesy of the University of Idaho Cooperative Extension Service(http://info.ag.uidaho.edu/keys/plates/plates_contents.htm).

Alyssum is known for repelling many unfriendly garden pests, but Aphids are its Achilles heel.  There are many earth-friendly ways to wipe out those awful Aphids that you see -- if slugs are not the ones devouring your Alyssum in the dark of night.  Go outside in the dark with a flashlight one cool evening, late at night, and check to see what if anything is moving around over there near or on your Alyssum.  It's good to do these things from time to time during the spring and summer, anyway.

If the coast is clear, and you're sure these are Aphids (trust me, they are not Fleas), run down to the garden center tomorrow and get yourself some hungry ladybugs.

These are the greatest little invention since sliced bread.  Ladybugs are the Lord's answer to all our garden pest prayers. They eat all the Aphids you can feed them, then they'll head off to greener pastures in search of more Aphids.  This is a bug that gives every bad insect in the garden a headache.  This ladybug is no lady!

Hard to believe, but they do this all on their own with no instructions from you.  Amazing, eh?

But seeing is believing.

Do you like to cook, Karon?  Whip up a batch of your own homemade bug spray and go out and murder those black party crashers.  Add herbs and spices to taste, then go out and spray.  These delicious recipes can double as salad dressings at your next garden party.  Check out the Sierra Club website (http://www.sierraclub.ca/national/programs/health-environment/pesticides/non-com...) which posts its own recommended recipes for horticultural oils that are guaranteed to annihilate every black speck on your flowers while providing the finishing touches to a satisfying salad on the deck.

Me, I am too lazy to go mixing in the kitchen.  I like the Ladybug system.  When they're done with the aphids, they go to work on all the other bad bugs in the neighborhood.  No fuss, no muss.  Pass the mustard.

Good luck.  Keep me posted.