Last Updated on October 31, 2021 by Phil
Harmful insects and bugs are nuisances both in the garden as well as your home. If you’re tired of dealing with them, here are the best plants that repel insects and bugs.
Growing the right kinds of plants in the proper places will deter pesky mosquitoes as well as pests that destroy your vegetables or flower beds.
The best thing about them is that they’re all-natural. As such, you don’t need to use insecticides or other chemicals around your home and your kids.
Plants that Repel Insects and Bugs
Basil
Basil is a popular herb that used for cooking and flavoring food. But, it also keeps insects from destroying your garden. This is specifically true asparagus beetles and tomato hornworm.
Like many herbs, its scent is the strongest deterrent. As such, you want to release it their oils by touching the plant’s leaves.
Basil needs full sun to grow. You can grow them all year round indoors. And, they’re easy to grow outside in USDA Hardiness Zones 2 to 11 as long as you provide it with rich, well-draining soil that is kept moist.
Chrysanthemums
From herbs we go to beautiful flowers. Mums are a great plant to have in your garden for repelling insects. That’s because it contains pyrethrum, which kills and keeps many pests and insects away.
This includes cockroaches, ants, spider mites fleas, Japanese beetles and even bed bugs.
Thus, growing chrysanthemum flowers near vegetables, in flower beds are just around your patio are a great way to keep insects and pests from bother these places.
Catmint
Catmint is commonly known as a weed because it can easily grow almost anywhere. As such, it is often bothersome to many gardeners.
But, have you ever noticed that insects and pests don’t seem to bother catmint.
Why?
Research found that catmint is more effective than DEET as an insect repellant. It is also known for repelling certain pests including cabbage worms.
Oregano
Oregano is a natural insecticide you can grow as a companion plant if you enjoy the herb. Just as importantly, it attracts beneficial insects and pollinators.
Odd how some plants just seem to do that. That have particular chemicals that keep the nasty insects and bugs away while attracting the beneficial ones.
One of the most useful pest and insect repelling abilities of oregano is it inhibits the development of larvae and egg laying of these creatures. As such, it not only keeps them away but also prevents them from increasing in number.
Lavender
Lavender is an amazing plant to have in your garden. Its beautiful blue colors brighten up any space. And, its unique look adds to your backyard’s visual appeal as well.
But, most people know lavender from essential oils and fragrances. And, that unique scent comes from the plant’s leaves.
It is also why insects and some small animals like rabbits never bother lavender even in the fields.
You can use this to your advantage as this wonderful plant is an amazing mosquito repellant in addition to keeping many different insects away.
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Parsley
Parsley is an herb that offers many health benefits including being rich in vitamins A, C and K. It also helps ward off certain diseases.
It actually holds a dear place in my heart because it was my grandfather’s favorite herb which he grew in his backyard. In part, because he loved having it with meals.
But, it is also one of the best plants that repel bugs and insects as well as pests.
Note that you do need to crush parsley leaves to release their scent which is what deters the critters.
Lemongrass
Commonly used is certain Asian cuisines, lemongrass is well known for its unique flavor and aroma. This is because it contains citronella oil in its leaves and stems.
And, that’s also where your essential oils and some chemicals used for perfumes get it.
The good news it, this strong scent is an amazing mosquito repellant. As such, you can grow lemongrass to keep these pesky bloodsuckers away.
They’re a very easy way of remedying bug infestations in your garden. And, you can use them to keep these away from your patio as well.
Marigold
Marigolds are another beautiful flower. They’re easy to care and they bring bright, joyful colors to your backyard. Best of all, they attract many beneficial insects like butterflies, ladybugs and bees to your garden.
If that’s not enough, you’ll be happy to know that they repel mosquitoes as well. They’re likewise effective for ridding your yard of whiteflies, thrips, aphids, tomato hornworms and quite a few other bothersome pests.
Thyme
Thyme is another well-known herb that’s popular in the culinary world. But, that’s not the only thing it is good for.
Thyme contains a number of chemicals called monoterpenes. These ward off mosquitoes as well as other pests like cabbage moths.
As such, if you like its flavor, you can grow it as part of your herb garden to keep bothersome pests and insects away. You can likewise use this low-growing plant as ground cover on its own around areas where you don’t want certain pests and insects to frequent.
Nasturtiums
If you have a pest problem you’re having difficult to eliminate, trying planting some nasturtiums. These bright colored flowers release a chemical into the air that keeps whiteflies, aphids and many different insects away from your garden.
Because of this, you can grow or place it near containers, vegetable gardens or even garden beds to deter bothersome pests that you’ve been having difficulty getting rid of.
Citronella
Citronella is also known as the mosquito plant for good reason. It is one of the most commonly known repellents of this bothersome insect.
The grass produces a lemony orange scent that’s unmistakable. As such, many people grow it around the garden to keep mosquitoes as well as spiders away.
Mint
Mint is often used for flavoring gums as well as foods. It is also used for condiments sometimes.
That’s because its refreshing flavor helps cleanse the palette.
The entire mint family is known for this. The most prominent of which are peppermint and spearmint. But, you can pretty much use any one of them is you have bug, insect or pest problems in your garden.
They’re great for repelling, moths, aphids and ants. Certain mint will keep maggots and fleas away as well.
Garlic and Onions
Garlic probably ranks as the most popular spice around. It is the most common one used for cooking and flavoring foods. And, it also a natural remedy for a number of health issues.
Meanwhile, onions are another member of the allium family. Like garlic is used heavily in the culinary work.
Both are not only flavorful but also have strong aromas. And, you can put their fragrances to good use in the garden since they repel mosquitoes and many other insects and pests.
These include aphids, rust flies, Japanese beetles and cabbage moths.
They’re likewise easy to grow being hardy to most USDA zones.
Sage
Sage (Salvia officinalis) is also called common sage. It is another herbs that’s used for many things including cooking. While some people don’t like it as much as they do other herbs, it is very beneficial in many other ways.
In fact, its leaves are also used for medicinal purposes. As such, you can grow it as part of your healing garden, if you happen to have one or plan on starting one.
Similarly, it helps keep certain moths and flies away from your garden as well. As long as you give sage enough sunlight daily and well-drained soil it will be happy.
