How to Repel Bugs From Plants

Whiteflies, thrips, garden beetles--creepy crawlies that suck the life from our tomatoes, asters and all the other plants we want to thrive in our garden. Some simple, non-chemical strategies can help keep them green and thriving.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Companion plants that repel insects
• Simple sprays

1. Use companion plants known for their insect-repellent properties. Pyrethum, a common ingredient in pesticides, is actually a derivative of marigolds. Try planting French marigolds (hybrids aren't reliably offensive) around your garden. Avoid interplanting, though, as the marigolds will compete with many plants for nutrients.

2. Many herbs, such as basil, catnip and tansy, repel a wide variety of pests in your garden. Check listings of "companion" and "insect-repellent" plants with university extension and other agriculture sources.

3. Consider using "beneficial insects" who act as predators, eating up the bad bugs. If you're considering sending away for beneficial insects, check with your local ag extension to make sure that your "beneficial insects" won't become a nuisance in your area (remember the Japanese beetles--ladybugs on steroids?).

4. When in doubt, spray. Most garden centers carry pyrethum-based sprays but, before going chemical, try hot-pepper spray, available at many garden centers and online or plain old dish soap (no additives, please), available at your grocery store. Dilute a tablespoon of plain dish soap with a gallon of water and spray over and under the leaves of your plants. Bugs don't like to eat soap. Insecticidal soaps, in addition to providing a low-impact insecticide also give some repellent protection.

5. Try folk-cures if you want. Most of the time, it couldn't hurt. I've tried dog hair scattered in the garden to repel moles and rabbits, beer in wide dishes to kill slugs that were eating my hostas and a number of other exotic remedies. Most of them don't work reliably but make for interesting conversation.

Tips & Warnings

• If you're using a low-impact spray like dish soap a hot pepper spray, you'll have to reapply periodically and certainly after heavy rains.
• When using commercial preparations, always read the label carefully and follow directions. What's simply repellent to bad bugs may hurt beneficial bugs, fish or children.

Resources

• Companion plants that repel
• Beneficial insects

[Johncan]

on 4/29/2009 Very helpful info on repelling bugs thanks 5*

[amylaine]

on 5/28/2008 This is great info to protect my plants from the bugs, thanks.