Companion planting is a smart way to help with pest control in gardens. It uses the natural features of different plants to keep harmful bugs away and bring in helpful ones. Studies show that about half of gardeners find better ways to manage pests when using companion planting. Here are some ways companion planting can help keep pests in check:

1. Repellent Properties

Some plants give off natural oils or scents that bugs don’t like. For example, marigolds can help keep away nematodes and aphids. Research has found that if you plant marigolds near vegetables like tomatoes, it can lower aphid numbers by up to 30%.

2. Attracting Beneficial Insects

Certain plants can draw in good insects that eat the bad ones. For instance:

• Ladybugs love to munch on aphids and can be attracted by planting dill or fennel.
• Lacewings are drawn to flowers rich in nectar, like yarrow or cosmos, which also helps keep pest populations down.

3. Disruption of Pest Life Cycles

When you plant different crops together, it can confuse pests and mess up their life cycles. This can lower the damage from some pests by about 20% to 60%. For example, planting basil alongside tomatoes can confuse the tomato hornworm, making it less likely to show up.

4. Physical Barrier

Some tall or bushy plants can block pests from reaching more delicate crops. For example, tall sunflowers can give shade and cover that keeps pests away from nearby vegetables.

5. Improved Soil Health

Healthy soil helps plants fight off pests and diseases better. Using companion planting can make nutrients more available and boost the variety of helpful microbes in the soil. This is key for strong plants and better pest resistance.

In conclusion, companion planting is a natural and effective way to improve pest control in gardens. By choosing the right plants to grow together, gardeners can create a more diverse and healthier garden while keeping pest numbers low.