While lavender attracts beneficial insects like bees and butterflies, it generally repels many common garden pests. Lavender’s strong scent, primarily due to its essential oils, is often disliked by pests like mosquitoes, moths, and flies.
Here’s a more detailed explanation:
- Beneficial Insects:Lavender is known to attract pollinators like bees, butterflies, and wasps. It can also attract hoverflies, which are beneficial because they prey on aphids and other pests.
- Repelling Pests:Many insects, including mosquitoes, moths, fleas, flies, and certain garden pests, are repelled by lavender’s strong aroma and essential oils, according to Epic Gardening and 1-800-Flowers.com.
- Essential Oils:The scent of lavender is primarily due to its essential oils, which can deter pests.
- Companion Planting:Lavender is often used as a companion plant in gardens because it can help to repel pests that might harm other plants.
