Summary: Every plant serves a purpose, and that is definitely the case with repellent plants. This blog explores the pest-repelling effects of 8 beneficial flowers. It also details which pests are impacted by each flower. Pointe Pest Control provides lasting solutions for warm weather pest issues.
In the Pacific Northwest, May is usually the best month for planting. The frost is over, the nights aren’t as cold, and the days are sunnier. Therefore, new plants and flowers are able to safely grow throughout the next several months.
Everyone has their own preferences for what they plant in their yards. If you’re looking for planting inspiration, we have some ideas! Certain flowers provide natural pest control by either using their strong scents to repel pests or attracting beneficial pests to handle the problem.
Let’s talk about the pest-repelling properties of 8 flowers that are easy to grow in our beautiful region!
Alliums
The Repelled Pests: aphids, cabbage worms, slugs, scale insects, thrips
These flowers are in the onion family, but they’re much prettier than the aromatic vegetable! Alliums come in a variety of sizes and are commonly equipped with large, purple flower balls. These flowers thrive in the sun with most soils. Alliums are best planted near other plants since alliums fade a lot in the fall, so it’s easier to conceal the yellowing plant among flowers.
Chrysanthemums
The Repelled Pests: ants, fleas, Japanese beetles, roaches, spider mites, ticks
Chrysanthemums are some of the easiest flowers to grow. They contain pyrethrum, a natural repellant. It’s used in a lot of natural bug sprays to prevent biting insects, so chrysanthemums are very handy to have around. These flowers do best with full sun, so plant these in the sunniest areas of your yard. Chrysanthemums seem more effective when planted near certain crops, like tomatoes. They also thrive in autumn, so you don’t have to worry about early fading!
Geraniums
The Repelled Pests: cabbage worms, Japanese beetles, leafhoppers, mosquitoes
If you’re looking for a pretty flower that pulls double-duty, geraniums are for you! These gorgeous flowers repel some of the worst garden pests. They’re best utilized when they’re planted near vegetables, cabbages, and greens. Geraniums need at least 6 hours of full sun per day, so a vegetable garden is the perfect location for these flowers.
Lavender
The Repelled Pests: fleas, flies, mosquitoes, moths
Lavender is on just about every list of pest-repelling plants, and for good reason. The strong scent, while appealing to us, is repulsive to many pests. They’re great in the warmer months because certain species need full sun and less water to thrive. The better that lavender does, the more fragrant it becomes. Try planting it near roses and herb gardens for maximum effect.
Marigolds
The Repelled Pests: aphids, cabbage worms, mosquitoes, nematodes
Another common pest repellant, marigolds are great additions to any yard. They are yellow, orange, or white, depending on the species. Marigolds need full sun (see the theme?), which matches their sunny hues. We suggest planting these near your vegetable garden. Marigolds have a strong scent that destructive pests hate, but beneficial or neutral insects don’t mind.
Nasturtiums
The Repelled Pests: aphids, cucumber beetles, squash bugs, whiteflies
This strange name doesn’t do these pretty flowers justice. Nasturtiums thrive in full sun and do surprisingly well in pots. Bees and butterflies love nasturtiums, so these flowers are really helped along by pollinators. Nasturtiums are great to plant near vegetables since they provide ground cover. You can even implement these flowers into a trellis or arch for a vibrant display!
Petunias
The Repelled Pests: aphids, leafhoppers, squash bugs, tomato hornworms
Hummingbird fans should think about adding petunias to their yards: the birds love them! These flowers do great in the summer, and they can be planted in hanging baskets if you don’t want them in the ground. However, petunias benefit us a lot when they’re near other plants. They seem to consistently repel pests from tomatoes, squash, beans, peppers, and roses.
Western Yarrow
The Repelled Pests: aphids, caterpillars, mosquitoes
Western yarrow nectar is irresistible to ladybugs, hoverflies, and parasitic wasps. A bunch of bugs in your yard doesn’t sound great, but trust us: you want these ones protecting your garden. Western yarrow is easy to grow and can survive both drought and bad soil. Even its root system is helpful! As the roots spread, they aerate the soil and improve its health.
So, You Want Beneficial Insects…
We mentioned some carnivorous insects that are attracted to these flowers and give you some natural pest control. Pollinators and carnivorous insects are helpful guests (in moderation) throughout the warmer months.
If you’re looking to attract beneficial insects, the secret is in the plants. Native plants are important for yards in every region. The plants that do well in that region will attract beneficial insects and repel harmful pests that are active in the same area. In other words, local pests are more affected by native plants because they inhabit the same ecosystem. Science!
All of these pest-repelling flowers are more effective when they’re next to the things you want to protect. You can make a border around your house, garden, or certain plants in order to create a barrier. Potted plants and window boxes are also great ways to use repellant plants in certain areas.
Pest-repellant plants aren’t the most effective version of pest control. They won’t repel every single pest from your yard, as nice as that would be. However, they can really help in lowering the number of destructive pests in your outdoor space. In a pest-ridden world, everything helps!
April Showers Brought Pointe’s Pest Solutions
May is the last full month of spring, so the busiest pest season is almost here. Insects and spiders are more active in the warmer months because their cold-blooded bodies are energized by the high temperatures. Pointe Pest Control is prepared for the influx of pest problems, thanks to our targeted solutions and preventative measures.
Our licensed technicians create a customized treatment plan for each customer. We believe that pest control isn’t a “one-size-fits-all” situation, so we tailor our treatments to fit your needs. Give yourself a pest-free spring and contact us for a free quote on our reliable services!
Citations
Buiano, M. (2024, May 5). 17 bug-repelling plants that keep unwanted pests out of your garden. Martha Stewart. Available at https://www.marthastewart.com/plants-that-repel-bugs-8637015 (Accessed on April 30, 2025).
Companion planting yarrow: Attracting beneficial insects. (2023, March 22). Meadowlark Journal. Retrieved April 30, 2025, from https://meadowlarkjournal.com/blog/companion-planting-yarrow
Flowers that deter pest insects from your vegetable garden. (2023, April 11). The Grounds Guys. Retrieved April 30, 2025, from https://www.groundsguys.com/blog/2022/february/flowers-that-deter-pest-insects-from-your-vegeta/
Kanuckel, A. (2024, May 6). Mosquito repellent plants — Natural ways to keep bugs away. Farmers’ Almanac. Available at https://www.farmersalmanac.com/what-to-plant-to-keep-bugs-away (Accessed on April 30, 2025).
Wadsworth, L. (April 2). Native plants for pest control in the Pacific Northwest. True Leaf Market. Available at https://trueleafmarket.com/blogs/articles/native-plants-for-pest-control-in-the-pacific-northwest (Accessed on April 30, 2025).
