Basil leafs

Basil is one of the plants that repel pests and flying insects. Its leaves contain four effective mosquito repellents - estragole, citronellal, nerolidol, and limonene. The fragrant herb is also very effective at repelling flea beetles, cabbage worms, tomato hornworms, ants, flies, and aphids.

Mint yree

Some plants from the mint family are insect-repelling plants. Spearmint and peppermint plants deter mosquitoes, spider mites, and flies, while pennyroyal mint repels fleas and ticks. These mint plants are a great addition to vegetable gardens and flower beds.

Chrysanthemums flowers

Chrysanthemums are plants that repel bugs like Japanese beetles, cockroaches, ants, spider mites, bedbugs, fleas, silverfish, lice, and harlequin bugs. Chrysanthemum is an effective mosquito repellent because it contains pyrethrum.

Alliums flowers

The allium family includes onions, chives, garlic, shallots, and leeks. An example of allium plants is the Allium giganteum, the giant onion, which grows up to six feet tall. It is a popular ingredient in Southeast Asian cooking. Allium plants repel pests like slugs, cabbage worms, carrot flies, Japanese beetles, aphids, ticks, and cabbage loopers.

Catnip leafs

Next on our list of plants that repel pests is catnip. Catnip is a member of the mint family that repels bugs but attracts cats. It contains a compound called Nepeta cataria, which deters mosquitoes and insects by triggering a chemical receptor that causes the sensation of pain or itching8.

Citronella grass

Citronella grass is a perennial grass native to the tropical areas of Asia. Farmers grow it commercially in Sri Lanka, Java, India, Indonesia, and Burma to produce candles, soaps, and insect repellents.

Marigolds the best flowers

Another plant that repels bugs is the marigold. Gardeners testify that the marigold effectively repels whiteflies in a tomato garden. However, until 2019, there was no scientific evidence to support this claim.

Thyme trees

Various thyme species work effectively against mosquitoes and other insects. Research shows that thyme essential oil is the most efficient way to prevent mosquitoes7. Essential oils of Thymus broussonetii and Thymus maroccanus destroy the larvae of common house mosquitoes, honeycomb moths, and yellow fever mosquitoes.

Rosemary trees

A rosemary plant contains essential oils like geraniol, linalol, burneol, and sineol. These fragrant oils are efficient insect repellents.

Lavender flowers

Lavender is a plant with purple flowers. Lavenders deter mosquitoes through the fragrance we all love and cherish. You can place a dried bouquet of lavender to keep these insects out if you can plant lavender in the sunny spots around your home.

Dill beautiful flowers

Dill is an annual herbaceous plant often used as a companion plant in gardening. Farmers use it to protect crops from pests because it is tall enough to impede their movement. There are various species of dill, like the Mammoth, Fern leaf, Dukat, Long Island, and Bouquet dill.

Floss flower

Floss flower contains coumarin, a compound commonly found in insecticides. Mosquitoes and other insects don’t like the plant’s scent, so they avoid it at all costs. Floss flowers are an excellent addition to your garden because they bloom blue, pink, and white throughout winter and fall.

Nasturtiums flower

Nasturtiums repel squash bugs, whiteflies, and many beetles, including asparagus beetles. They release an airborne chemical that deters insects and pests from attacking them and other plants in the area. Thus, nasturtiums are the best plants to put at the edge of a vegetable garden.

Venus flytraps

Venus flytraps are carnivorous flowering plants. The plant is native to South and North Carolina. You'll find it growing in acidic soils stripped of all its nutrients. It feeds on flying insects, ants, beetles, spiders, and grasshoppers.

Marigolds the best flowers

Another plant that repels bugs is the marigold. Gardeners testify that the marigold effectively repels whiteflies in a tomato garden. However, until 2019, there was no scientific evidence to support this claim.

Types of Marigolds for Gardens

Marigolds are commonly divided into three categories: African, French, and signet. All these marigolds are fast-growing annual plants that bloom reliably from early summer to frost. Deadheading will encourage more blooms and prevent marigold volunteers from popping up next spring. However, each type has its unique characteristics.

African Marigolds

These tall and stately plants make beautiful borders along fences, at the back of perennial beds to set off other flowers, and as a large patch all on their own. African marigolds (Tagetes erecta) are good for cutting for arrangements with long, sturdy stems and good vase life. They are relatively low-maintenance summer flowers and thrive in hot, dry conditions. Here are a few of the prettiest varieties of African marigolds to try:

French Marigolds

Bushy plants with a compact, mounded shape and bright colors make French marigolds (Tagetes patula) a favorite. They are generally not bothered by insects or disease and make fabulous companion plants for your vegetable garden. Keep deadheaded for blooms all the way to frost. French marigolds range from 6 inches to 2 feet in height.

Signet Marigolds

Perhaps the least well-known type of marigold, signet marigolds (Tagetes tenuifolia) offer simple color and compactness. They are great for window boxes, edging garden beds with color, and companion planting because they won’t shade anything out. Also known as lemon marigolds, some signet varieties give off a lemon scent when their foliage is bruised.

Marigolds the best flowers

Another plant that repels bugs is the marigold. Gardeners testify that the marigold effectively repels whiteflies in a tomato garden. However, until 2019, there was no scientific evidence to support this claim.

Marigolds beautiful Flowers 

Perhaps you've heard of the Marigold Butterfly—a type of butterfly that loves to hang around (you guessed it!) marigold flowers. "Marigolds are best when planted in masses to attract butterflies like the Marigold Butterfly," MacLean says. If you want your marigolds to live their longest, he recommends deadheading the blooms to promote new growth and blooms.