How to Choose Plants That Help Keep the Bugs Away

Interplant garlic with lettuce to cut down on pests.

Pests can sometimes be a problem in the garden. Some insects spread disease that can result in a plant's death before it produces, like cucumber beetles, while others, like stinkbugs, feed on a plant's fruit, making it inedible. One natural and organic way to help keep those nasty bugs away is to grow plants that those bugs dislike, or that they like too much, as a lure away from your garden favorites.

Things You'll Need

• Garden tools

Instructions

1. Research the types of insects that are damaging your plants. For each kind of bug that can harm your plants, there are certain plants you can grow next to your existing plants to help keep those bugs away. This is a form of companion planting and a natural solution that can be effective at keeping pests under control for moderate infestations.

2. Plant chives, nasturtium, basil, spearmint, garlic or catnip nearby to repel aphids. Aphids are tiny yellowish bugs, some with a waxy or wooly look, that love rose bushes and other flowers as well as squash, pumpkins, beans, potatoes and lettuce. Signs of aphids include a sticky honeydew on the plants that attracts ants, clusters of insects on the undersides of leaves, curling and yellowing of leaves and stunted growth. Honeydew can turn black and moldy.

3. Plant geraniums, tansy, rue or garlic to discourage Japanese beetles. Japanese beetles are large, slow-moving insects with iridescent shells that congregate on leaves and flowers of roses, beans, grapes and fruit trees, among other. The adult beetles skeletonize leaves and damage flower buds, while their larvae chew the roots of grass.

4. Plant borage, marigolds and opal basil near your tomato plants to deter tomato hornworm. Tomato hornworm are large, smooth green caterpillars that can be up to 4 inches long. They eat tomato foliage and since they blend so well with the plant, can go undetected until damage is severe.

5. Plant wormwood, mint and catnip nearby to keep flea beetles and potato beetles away. Be aware that mint is invasive and should be planted in pots to avoid becoming a separate problem. Flea and potato beetles impact plants in the solanaceae family, eggplant, tomatoes, potatoes, peppers, damaging foliage with many tiny holes.

6. Plant spearmint or peppermint to keep ants away. It can be planted near your house to naturally deter ants from your house. Both these mints are invasive and should be planted in pots or have in-ground barriers to keep them in check.

Tips & Warnings

• Chives and marigolds benefit most plants.

• Growing plants to discourage certain pests can be effective but sometimes other treatments are necessary to keep the pests under control.

References

• University of California Integrated Pest Management: Aphid Management Guide
• Colorado State University Extension: Japanese Beetle
• University of Minnesota VegEdge: Tomato Hornworm
• Cornell University Extension: Companion Planting with Herbs
• University of Vermont Extension: Flea Beetle Management

Resources

• Read this Article in Spanish