Do Herbs Actually Repel Pests?

Do Herbs Actually Repel Pests?

Summary: Herb gardens are great additions to any yard, but do they help repel pests? This blog finds out how herbs affect pests with their strong scents, then explains how 10 specific herbs deter pests. Pointe Pest Control provides targeted treatments for local pest problems.

Herb gardens are one of the easier gardens to maintain, which explains their popularity. As long as they get plenty of sun, herbs can be grown indoors or outdoors. In the warmer seasons, outdoor herb gardens are even more useful than usual…

That’s because herbs are thought to be excellent pest repellents. Many gardening experts recommend planting herbs near other plants because the herbs will deter hungry pests.

DIY pest prevention methods (essential oils, citronella candles, etc.) come with the disclaimer that they aren’t always the most effective. That brings us to our question: do herbs actually repel pests? Let’s find out by doing a quick dive into the science world before seeing which herbs seem to have the biggest effect on pests!

How Can Herbs Repel Pests?

The secret to an herb’s repellent powers? Their scents! A lot of pests hate strong smells, so plants and flowers naturally use this to their advantage. The scents are chemical structures made up of plant molecules. They’re found in the plant’s secretory system, which includes the leaves, stems, roots, seeds, and petals.

Higher temperatures cause the plant oils to turn into vapors, making the plants seem more aromatic than usual. That’s why flowers and herbs are more fragrant in summer. Another way to increase the scent’s strength is to crush the leaves with your fingers, but that’s only if you want to scatter the leaves around the garden.

One thing to keep in mind with herbs is that they don’t completely guarantee that you will never see pests. Herbs are used more for reducing the number of pests you see, not eliminating them entirely. That’s when you need professional pest control (more on this later).

Companion planting is your best bet with using herbs to repel pests. That’s when you plant several types of crops closely together so they can help each other. It’s all a part of our wonderful ecosystem!

Now that we know a bit more about how herbs can repel pests, let’s talk about 10 herbs that serve two purposes: preventing pests and being tasty ingredients!

Basil

Repelled Pests: flea beetles, flies, mosquitoes, whiteflies

One of the easier herbs to grow, basil is excellent for preventing pests. The oil is toxic to mosquito larvae, so it often keeps female mosquitoes from laying eggs near basil. Try planting basil near other crops to keep hungry pests away.

As a bonus, basil is said to be a great soothing agent for bug bites! If you want to give it a shot, use basil essential oil or crushed basil leaves on a bite to alleviate the itching. If your bite comes with other symptoms (fever, swelling, etc.), please seek medical attention immediately.

Bay Leaves

Repelled Pests: ants, flies, moths, roaches, weevils

It’s debatable how much flavor bay leaves add to dishes — we just know to throw them in soups and stews while they simmer for a few hours. Growing your own bay leaves can be slow-going at first, but the plant lasts a long time.

One great use for bay leaves is in stored food. Throw a bay leaf or two in baking ingredients and grains to prevent pantry pests. You can also crush and sprinkle these leaves around other plants to spread the wealth of pest repellent throughout the garden.

Chives

Repelled Pests: aphids, carrot flies, deer, Japanese beetles, mites,

Chives are not only an excellent garnish, they’re also a good pest repellent! Their strong scent is a result of their placement in the green onion family. Chives are easy to grow, so the plant can get pretty big when left alone.

Another benefit to having chives in your garden is that they attract pollinators. The pink blossoms draw the attention of pollinating insects, like bees and butterflies. Pollinators are friends of any garden, so keep that in mind when you’re choosing what to plant!

Cilantro

Repelled Pests: aphids, spider mites

If you don’t have the gene that makes cilantro taste like soap (lucky!), this is a great herb to have in your garden. It’s easy to grow and maintain, as long as it is watered properly throughout the summer months.

The main appeal of cilantro is that it attracts “good” insects. By this, we mean that carnivorous insects are drawn to the herb and take care of any destructive pests. Ladybugs and lacewings are two beneficial insects that you’ll be happy to see hanging around your cilantro.

Dill

Repelled Pests: aphids, cabbage moths, spider mites, squash bugs

For fans of pickles and Ranch dressing (maybe not at the same time), dill should be a staple in your herb garden. Its biggest benefit is that it can be picked and sprinkled around other crops to repel pests with its potent smell.

This is another herb that attracts beneficial insects, like ladybugs, who eat the harmful pests. One caveat with dill is that it should be planted away from tomatoes. Tomato hornworms love dill, so they would hit the jackpot if they found dill planted right next to their favorite food!

Mint

Repelled Pests: ants, aphids, biting bugs, cabbage moths, fleas, mosquitoes, rodents

It’s no secret that mint is one of the most aromatic herbs, so it makes sense that it’s great for preventing pests. As long as the soil has great drainage and the herb gets a lot of sun, mint can thrive in all kinds of environments.

That being said, we want to give a word of caution on growing mint. It’s an invasive perennial, so it spreads very easily. This herb is best grown in a pot or container by itself, rather than mixed with other herbs. You don’t want your wonderful herb garden turned into a minty forest!

Parsley

Repelled Pests: aphids, asparagus beetles

Parsley is the ultimate garnish for any dish that you want to look that much fancier. For pest prevention purposes, plant this herb near flowers and/or fruit-producing plants. These other crops will be happy to have parsley standing guard!

If you plant parsley, make sure it has room to grow. It becomes a tall bush in ideal conditions, so it’s best placed in the corner of the garden or yard. Parsley is known to attract pollinators and hover flies, which are both beneficial in very different ways.

Rosemary

Repelled Pests: cabbage moths, carrot flies, Mexican bean beetles, mosquitoes

One of the best companion plants is rosemary. It works well with many other types of greenery, and its signature scent overpowers the smells of nearby vegetables for maximum protection. Plus, it’s said to be one of the best mosquito repellents — and who doesn’t want that?

Rosemary prefers sandy soil because it can develop root rot in overwatered soil. Since it does well in mild climates, this would be one of the herbs you’d want to bring inside before the harsh Midwestern winter hits.

Sage

Repelled Pests: beetles, cabbage loopers, cabbage moths, snails

Similar to rosemary, sage has such a strong scent that it overpowers the aroma of nearby crops. It actually disrupts the sensory receptors of insects, keeping them from smelling other plants. This can be used to your advantage if you fend off garden pests every year.

Sage is best utilized (for pest prevention) when it’s planted near root crops and fruit-producing plants. The bush’s fragrance will cover the scents of these other plants as the weather warms up. As for its culinary use, have you ever topped a pasta dish with fried sage? Delicious!

Thyme

Repelled Pests: cabbage moths, maggots, mosquitoes, tomato hornworms, whiteflies

There’s always time to talk about thyme! This herb serves as a ground-cover in any garden it inhabits. This is useful for pest prevention since the herb covers more ground (literally) with its aroma, concealing the scents of other plants.

Thyme also attracts beneficial bugs, especially ladybugs. This makes it even easier to protect the garden from harmful pests, like aphids and mites. Just be careful when handling thyme. It can irritate our skin with its potent oil, so wear gloves if you have sensitive skin.

Tips For Growing Your Own Herb Garden!

We hope this inspired you to start your own herb garden! In this day and age, there are plenty of resources on herb gardening. For specific information, we suggest reading articles from gardening experts or visiting your local lawn & garden store.

That being said, we have a few basic suggestions of our own! Here are some key pointers to keep in mind as you start your herb gardening journey:

• If your herb garden is outside, keep it near other plants. Plant them or place their containers next to vulnerable plants to protect them from pests.

• Decide if your herb garden will be in the ground or in containers. The ground option is appealing since you can make a barrier with the herbs, but containers and pots make it easy to move the herbs wherever you want. You can even bring them inside for the winter!

• Make sure your herb garden gets plenty of sunlight throughout the day. Herbs love sun!

• Check the soil in your herb garden to be sure it’s draining properly. Overwatered soil can harm the herbs and attract pests (fungus gnats).

• Keep the herbs safe from your dog or cat. Some herbs are toxic to animals, so you don’t want your furry friend getting into the garden!

Give Your Yard the Gift of Pointe

These herbs can certainly cut down the number of pests you see in your yard, but they’re not a perfect solution. Do you know what is an ideal solution to your pest problems? Pointe Pest Control! Our licensed, experienced technicians curate a treatment plan for each customer. This ensures that our long-term solutions actually target the pest issues at hand.

We understand the importance of efficient pest treatments. That’s why we take the time to assess the situation, create an action plan, and implement preventative measures that make sure the pests don’t return. Protect your home from warm weather pests and contact us for a free quote today!

Citations

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Ellis, E. (2021, July 22). 7 plants that pests hate. Oak Spring Garden Foundation. Available at https://www.osgf.org/blog/2021/7/22/buwjs26fo4nxoxckq1s4ffbstxkz1u (Accessed on May 13, 2025).

Hassani, N. (2023, May 25). Everything you need to know to grow your own herbs. Food & Wine. Available at https://www.foodandwine.com/how-to-grow-herbs-7499957 (Accessed on May 13, 2025).

Ioó, A. (2024, November 20). 13 herbs and flowers to keep bugs away in your yard. Lawn Love. Available at https://lawnlove.com/blog/herbs-and-flowers-to-keep-bugs-away-in-yard/ (Accessed on May 13, 2025).

Oder, T. (2024, August 7). 12 plants that repel unwanted insects (including mosquitoes). Treehugger. Available at https://www.treehugger.com/plants-that-repel-unwanted-insects-4864336 (Accessed on May 13, 2025).

Rachel. (2023, April 13). Companion planting: Flowers & herbs that help repel bugs. Sugar Maple Farmhouse. Available at https://www.sugarmaplefarmhouse.com/companion-planting-flowers-herbs-that-help-repel-bugs/ (Accessed on May 13, 2025).