We favor natural remedies whenever possible. Planting plants that repel squash bugs is one way to help deter squash bugs from destroying your squash plants.

Unfortunately, there are not many studies that have unequivocally and consistently proven the efficacy of companion plants that repel squash bugs. In part, it’s because there’s not a lot of funding for such research that isn’t backed by chemical companies.

However, as with many natural approaches, the best results come from building up and establishing the biodynamic interplay over time. So we try to conduct our own experiments through trial and observation of natural approaches that make sense whenever possible over time.

That said, here are lists of common lore on plants that repel squash bugs, some back by research.

Plants That Repel Squash Bugs

There are plants that squash bugs avoid for various reasons. Plant enough of these plants that repel squash bugs in and around your squash plants, and it should greatly reduce the number of squash bug issues.

• Bee balms – plant amidst the rows
• Buckwheat, (flowering) – Study showed moderate reduction over time; more research and planting arrangements are needed.^[1]https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6835606/
• Calendula – is also edible and wonderfully medicinal in oils and balms
• Camellia – Shikimic acid, caffeine & tannins repels aphids, termites and squash bugs; Shikimic acid is the Japanese star anise – Illicium anisatum
• Catnip – another mint that may reduce squash bugs
• Chives – the pungency may repel squash bugs
• Dill – another helpful deterrent herb
• Garlic – these “stinky” herbs repel garden pests
• Lemon balm – another helpful mint; it will spread so pots are recommended
• Marigold – deters pests and are good companion plants for all plants
• Marjoram
• Mint – plant in pots that are placed around the garden if concerned about mint spreading
• Nasturtiums – In a preliminary on-farm study in Virginia, fewer squash bug egg were found on squash plants interplanted with nasturtium transplants (H. D., unpublished data).^[2]https://academic.oup.com/jipm/article/7/1/1/2658001
• Onion
• Oregano
• Petunia – potentially beneficial as reported anecdotally by one community member*
• Radish – specifically white icicle radish^[3]https://digitalcommons.unl.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1217&context=envstudtheses
• Sunflower – Attractive to big-eyed bugs (Geocoris punctipes), that prey on squash egg and larvae
• Tansy – shown to reduce squash bugs and gets rid of ants naturally
• Three Sisters Plants – growing these 3 sisters plants close together makes it harder for squash bugs to find their favorite squash leaves.
  • beans
  • corn
  • squash
• Tobacco – these are actually a nice ornamental companion plant that tend to repel bad bugs. You can also create a natural pest poison for the garden using tobacco leaves. Spray plants and soil with a mixture of water, minced garlic, tobacco leaves and soap to stick, as a natural insect repellent.**
• Winter Savory – recommended by a GardensAll friend who said: “The scattering of winter savory growing around the garden and in squash beds helped a lot.”

*Re: PETUNIAS: One GardensAll community member shared this:
“Since planting petunias I have not seen a single squash bug!”
~Lydia Cline Brandy

**Re: TOBACCO PLANTS
However, it is not recommended to plant tobacco or use tobacco as a repellent spray if you’re also growing tomatoes (and it’s the rare gardener who isn’t). Tobacco plants are known to be hosts for the mosaic virus which can affect tomatoes and other nightshade plants. REFERENCE: ATTRA

Another benefit to these plants that repel squash bugs is that many of them also serve to repel other insects and marauders.

You may also be interested in perennial deer resistant flowers and plants.

The most common natural enemies of squash bugs are parasitoids, including a tachinid fly, Trichopoda pennipes (Diptera: Tachinidae), that attacks older nymphs and adults, and several wasps that parasitize eggs (Hymenoptera: Encyrtidae and Scelionidae).^[4]https://extension.usu.edu/pests/uppdl/files/factsheet/ENT-120-08.pdf

Plant Plants that Attract Squash Bug Predators

• Alfalfa – attracts damsel bugs (Nabis sp.) (Alfalfa is also a great cover crop to nurture soil and plants).
• Carrots – attracts the feather-legged fly (Trichopoda pennipes)
• Clover – attracts damsel bugs (Nabis sp.)
• Dill – attracts (Trichopoda pennipes)
• Fennel – attracts damsel bugs (Nabis sp.)
• Lavender – attracts damsel bugs (Nabis sp.)
• Parsley – attracts (Trichopoda pennipes)
• Sunflowers – attracts Bigeyed bugs (Geocoris punctipes)
• Radish – damsel bugs (Nabis sp.)

Find more on how to get rid of squash bugs naturally

Wildflowers, herbs, and other plants have been shown to attract parasitic wasps and flies, and their presence in the crop habitat may improve biological control of squash bugs.

Plant Extra

When it comes to crop destruction by wildlife, many people plant extra to share with the wildlife. We love that idea, and will do more of that when we have more sunny space for gardening.

However, we’ve found that pests don’t understand boundaries and property lines and are not discriminating on which plants are for them versus which are for us. But it helps, and especially if you have extra space for planting more than enough.

Decoy Plants to Lure Squash Bugs Away

Also called “trap plants” or “sacrificial plants”, plant varieties that are known favorites of the squash bugs. Blue Hubbard is considered one of the best plant lures for squash bugs, as well as these other varieties.

Favorite Squash Bug Plants for Trap Plants

• Blue Hubbard
• Marrow squash
• Royal Acorn
• Summer squash –
  • crookneck
  • straightneck
  • yellow
  • zucchini 
• Sweet Cheese
• Pumpkins

REFERENCE: Hort.extension.wisc.edu

Plant one or more of their favorite varieties around 5 feet away from your non sacrificial squash plants, and surround your main squash crop with squash bug repellent plants.

5 Step Approach for Squash Bug Prevention

1. 2 WEEKS BEFORE – Plant the sacrificial or trap plants 2 weeks ahead of your main crop and 5 or more feet away. Pests will be drawn to the larger plants.
2. PLANT PREDATOR PLANTS – Plants loved by squash bug predators, as indicated in the list above.
3. CHECK PLANTS DAILY – You still need to case your squash plant lures for squash bugs to keep them from reproducing and spreading.
4. PLANT YOUR GOOD SQUASH CROP – Ideally, plant more pest resistant squash
5. PLANT SQUASH BUG REPELLENT PLANTS in and around your squash plants.

This 5-prong approach makes for good Integrative Pest Management (IPM) toward your best chance at keeping your main squash plants healthy and thriving. If

Find more squash bug prevention tips here. You may also be interested in how to prevent and treat squash vine borer.

For an interesting perspective on a biodynamic farm approach, check out this permaculture documentary on the Biggest Little Farm.