Companion planting for repelling insects
What is companion planting?
Some plants do better when in the company of other plants. Companion planting is using this knowledge to increase plant performance. Companion planting includes planting flowers, herbs or vegetables to repel or trap harmful insects. It also includes using plants to attract useful insects which prey upon harmful insects. People use companion planting as a way of reducing chemical insecticide use.
How can I companion plant?
Companion planting requires some experimentation. What may be successful in one garden may not be successful in another garden. This may be caused by different microclimates, soil types, plant varieties and cropping practices.
Plants that repel harmful insects
Ants Tansy |
Aphids Chives |
Cabbage moths Rosemary |
Cabbage worms Tomatoes |
Carrot flies Leeks |
Colorado potato beetles Green beans |
Cucumber beetles Nasturtiums |
Flea beetles Catnip |
Flies Basil |
Mosquitoes Dried & crushed |
Leafhoppers Dried & crushed |
Onion flies Garlic |
Plants that attract useful insects
Assassin bugs Alfalfa |
Big-eyed bugs Alfalfa |
Damsel bugs Alfalfa |
Lacewings Carrot |
Lady beetles Alfalfa |
Parasitic wasps Yarrow |
Plants that trap harmful insects
Aphids Nasturtium |
Flea beetles Radish |
Potato bugs Egg plant |