Using plants that repel squash bugs can be a useful addition to your pest management strategy. While no companion plant will eliminate squash bugs on its own, certain herbs, flowers, and trap crops can help create an environment less favorable for these pests and support a healthier squash crop.

Squash bugs are a common garden pest that can damage squash plants by feeding on leaves, stems, and developing fruit. Many gardeners use a combination of methods to control them, including hand removal and physical barriers.

However, certain plants, including marigolds, nasturtiums, herbs, and some vegetables, are often grown near squash to help lessen squash bug problems. Some release strong scents that can make squash plants harder for the insects to locate, while others attract beneficial insects or act as trap crops.

This guide focuses on three practical groups of plants that can be incorporated into a broader plan for squash bug management.

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Plant-based strategies for squash bug management

Gardeners often use a combination of plant types as part of a broader approach to managing squash bug problems. Rather than relying on a single method, plants can play different roles within the garden system.

These roles generally fall into three categories: aromatic plants, plants that support beneficial insects, and trap crops that concentrate pest activity away from main squash plants.

Best plants for squash bug control

If you ever wonder, “What plants repel squash bugs?” you are in luck. Below is a list of commonly used plants to keep squash bugs away from your garden, organized by function.

🌿 Aromatic plants

Many gardeners use strongly scented herbs and flowers near squash plants in the hope of making the area less attractive to squash bugs. Because squash bugs use plant odors to help locate host plants, aromatic plants may help mask the scent of squash and make nearby plants less noticeable.

While the use of these plants is not a squash bug prevention on its own, combining their use with other techniques can help reduce squash bug problems in your garden.

Here are some aromatic squash bug repellent plants to consider growing with your squash plants:

Marigold
Basil
Chives
Garlic
Onion
Mint
Oregano
Catnip
Tansy

🐞 Beneficial insect plants

A garden filled with flowers attracts more than bees and butterflies. Many flowering plants provide nectar and pollen that support beneficial insects, including tachinid flies, big-eyed bugs, and parasitic wasps, some of which may feed on squash bugs or their eggs.

By providing food and habitat for these helpful insects, flowering plants can help create a more balanced garden ecosystem and support natural pest control.

These plants are good at attracting beneficial insects for squash bugs:

Dill
Bee balm
Sunflower

🪤 Squash bug trap crops

Rather than trying to keep squash bugs away completely, you can use trap crops to draw them toward a different plant. These plants are often more attractive to squash bugs than the main crop and can help concentrate pest activity in one area of the garden.

When used correctly, trap crops make it easier to monitor for squash bugs and target control efforts before the pests spread throughout the squash patch.

Try incorporating these plants as trap crops for squash bugs:

Blue Hubbard squash
Nasturtium

How to use these plants for squash bugs effectively

Plants used for squash bug control are most effective when combined with other pest management practices rather than relied upon as a standalone solution. Careful placement and planning can help you get the best results from aromatic plants, beneficial insect plants, and trap crops.

To use these plants effectively, consider the following strategies:

Use a mix of border planting and interplanting to distribute aromatic plants throughout and around squash beds.
Space plants appropriately to allow for the spreading growth habit of squash vines.
Include flowering plants that provide nectar and pollen to help attract beneficial insects throughout the growing season.
Stagger planting times so flowers, herbs, and trap crops are available when squash bugs become active.
Use trap crops strategically by planting them near squash beds, where they can help concentrate squash bug activity.
Grow vigorous or spreading plants such as mint, catnip, and tansy in containers to prevent them from overtaking garden beds.

Common mistakes to avoid

Avoid these common mistakes when using plants for squash bug management.

Expecting too much: The suggested plants may help reduce squash bug pressure, but they are not squash bug deterrents on their own.
Ignoring trap crops: Trap crops need regular monitoring. If squash bugs are allowed to build up, unchecked, on trap plants, they can eventually spread to nearby squash plants.
Poor placement: Locate aromatic plants, beneficial insect plants, and trap crops strategically throughout the garden rather than concentrating them in a single area.
Skipping garden maintenance: Don’t rely on these plants as a cure-all for squash bugs. An overall garden management plan that includes proper spacing, sanitation, crop rotation, and regular pest monitoring is equally as important in managing squash bugs.

Printable

You can print the plants for natural squash bug control printable as high-resolution JPGs or PDFs by using the links below:

Printing instructions:

Select portrait orientation and “fit to page” on your printer settings for a full-page printout.
You can also print out the list of squash bug deterrent plants from the project card at the bottom of this page. Scroll down to the card and press “print”.

Related squash guides

If you enjoyed learning about growing plants that repel squash bugs, you may also find these squash guides useful.

What are squash bugs? – Identification, eggs, damage, and lifecycle
Control Squash Bugs 12 ways – How to kill squash bugs in your garden.
Growing Zucchini – How to grow summer squash and zucchini.

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Yield: 1 Squash bug repellent plants printable

Plants That Repel Squash Bugs - Printable

This printable lists which plants may help to repel squash bugs, attract beneficial insects, or act as trap crops to support a healthier squash garden.

Prep Time 5 minutes

Total Time 5 minutes

Difficulty moderate

Estimated Cost $1

Materials

Computer paper

Tools

Computer
Printer

Instructions

Load your paper into your printer.
Using the print function on this card will give you a squash bug plant repellent printable that fills about ¾ of an 8.5 x 11-inch sheet of paper.
Choose portrait layout and, if possible, "fit to page" (or 125%) in your settings.
Prefer full-page printing? You can also print the list of plants as a high-resolution file using your browser’s print feature: (PDF) | (JPG).
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This printable may not be used for any retail purpose or for mass distribution.

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