In most cases, you will choose to combine the two methods described above. You’ll have to experiment to find out what works for your garden. Just be sure to use plants that are common in your area, so the good insects will already be looking for them.
Plants which ward off pests or attract helpful bugs include:
Lavender. Aside from its lovely smell, lavender will attract some beneficial insects while repelling fleas and moths.
Marigolds. These are well known for repelling many harmful bugs, such as whiteflies, nematodes, and many others. Mexican marigolds even keep wild rabbits away, making them very helpful to plant alongside vegetable gardens. The downside is that they attract spider mites and snails, so be prepared to deal with those in another way.
Nasturtiums. These flowers will serve you well if you plant them alongside tomatoes and cucumbers. They ward off a variety of harmful pests including wooly aphids, cucumber beetles, squash bugs, and whiteflies.
Petunias. Plant these in your garden to repel tomato worms, aphids, and many other pests.
Garlic. You probably aren’t too worried about vampires, but garlic also wards off aphids, moths, root maggots, Japanese beetles, and snails.
Citronella grass. The fragrance of citronella grass repels mosquitoes, which is why the oil of the plant is used so often in candles. Do remember to wear gloves when handling citronella grass, because it can irritate skin.
Lemon grass. Mosquitoes, ticks, ants, gnats, and flies avoid lemon grass, making it a great addition for your patio area or garden.
Catnip. This herb repels just about everything, except cats of course! You can even use it in sachets around the house, to keep pests from invading your home.
Basil. Basil repels flies and mosquitoes, and it’s also delicious with homegrown tomatoes.
These plants are just a sampling of nature’s remedy to your pest problems. For more information about plants that ward off pests, come visit us in our nursery to see what’s in season.
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