Plants that bugs hate

There are many plants that repel insects. Most insect repelling plants can also be used commercially. see the list below. However, any monocrop field will attract various insects that will cause damage. Just because lavender repels certain moths, it does not mean that lavender will be moth free and not eaten. Another conundrum, flies play a vital role in pollination. So repelling and killing all flies reduces yield of flowering crops. There is no magic combination of plants that will repel all insects and free a grower from using insecticides.

• Citronella: Often used in candles and sprays, citronella is known for its strong lemon-like scent that repels mosquitoes.
• Lavender: Its fragrant flowers not only add beauty to a garden but also repel mosquitoes, flies, and moths.
• Marigolds: These bright flowers emit a scent that deters mosquitoes, aphids, thrips, Tomato Heartworm (Manduca quinquemaculata).
• French Marigold: Root knot Nematodes (Meloidogyne)
• Basil: This herb is not only great for cooking but also repels mosquitoes and houseflies.
• Peppermint: The strong menthol scent of peppermint repels a variety of insects, including mosquitoes and ants. Peppermint oil is highly effective in repelling  rats.
• Rosemary: Known for its culinary uses, rosemary also repels imported cabbage worms, mosquitoes and other insects.
• Lemongrass: A cousin to citronella, lemongrass contains citronella oil, which makes it effective in repelling mosquitoes.
• Chrysanthemums: These flowers contain pyrethrum, a natural insecticide, which helps repel roaches, ants, ticks, and fleas.
• Mint: Like peppermint, mint’s strong aroma can deter Imported cabbage worms, mosquitoes, ants, and flies and fea beetles.
• Sage: When burned, sage emits a smoke that repels insects, particularly mosquitoes. natural growing sage repels imported cabbage worms.
• Oleander: Codling moth (Cydia pomonella).
• Radish: Cowpea Curculio (Chalcodermus aeneus Boheman), Squash bug (Anasa tristis), Stink Bug (Halyomorpha halys) and cucumber beetle (Diabrotica undecimpunctata).
• Green beans: Cucumber beetle (Diabrotica undecimpunctata).
• Geranium: Leaf Hopper (Cicadellidae family)
• Onions: Mexican bean beetle (Epilachna varivestis), Flea Beetle (Alticini Chrysomelidae), Bean Leaf Beetle (Cerotoma trifurcata), Squash vine Borer (Melittia cucurbitae), Red Spider Mite
• Cloves: Red Spider Mite (Tetranychidae family)
• Chives: Red Spider Mite (Tetranychidae family)
• Garlic: Tarnished Plant Bug (Lygus lineolaris)
• Sage: Tomato Heartworm (Manduca quinquemaculata) are voracious eaters and can strip the leaves of a plant rapidly and if that is not enough, they also eat on the fruit, rendering them unmarketable. Natural predators like parasitic wasps (e.g., Cotesia congregata), which lay eggs inside the Tomato Hornworms, can also help control their population.

Interesting to note that many household pests are not pests in commercial crops. For instance ants. play an important role in pollinating various plants ¹. Your standard household fly (Musa domestica) is one of the most important pollinators in cocoa plantations ² So the farmer spraying insecticides and killing flies, will reduce crop yields by also killing flies.

1. Kimberly Winter, Ph.D, 2005, EFFECTS ON POLLINATORS AND POTENTIAL RAMIFICATIONS. Agricultural Outlook Forum 2005. North American Pollinator Protection Campaign
2. Gautam, Aastha. (2020). Role of Insect Pollinators in Crop Production.