(From the Ocean Friendly Gardens book)
Pesticides, like other residential pollutants, are swept off our properties during periods of rain and over-irrigation. These pesticides pose a threat to aquatic life and ground water supplies. How you perceive and manage “pests” determines, in part, the amount of pesticides swept off your property. A gardener practicing CPR wants to support the health of the soil and plants such as through applying compost, compost tea, etc. Another tool is to change the composition of their landscape to deter particularly destructive and determined pests. Listed below are a variety of plants that either repel unwanted bugs, or attract beneficial insects, all of which reduces the need for pesticides:
| Botanical Name | Common Name | Type | Care & Uses |
| Achillea spp. | Yarrow | Perennials. Sun. W (some) | Low to moderate water. Attracts beneficial insects. |
| Allium spp. | Ornamental Allium, Chives | Perennial bulbs. Sun to some shade. | Moderate to regular water. Good protection against slugs and ants. Used in spray to control aphids. |
| Angelica archangelica | Angelica | Biennial, fleshy. Sun to shade. | Regular water. Good for attracting lacy wings, lady beetles, and parasitic wasps. Edible too. |
| Artemisia abrotanum | Southernwood | Shrubby perennial. Sun. W | Native. No to low water. Good for repelling ants and aphids. |
| Artemisia absinthium | Wormwood | Shrubby perennial. Sun. W | Native. No to low water. Helps repel animals. |
| Borago officinalis | Borage | Seeding annual. Sun to some shade. | Moderate water. Deters tomato worms. An edible that tolerates poor soils. |
| Coreopsis spp. | Coreopsis | Annuals and perennials. Sun to some shade. | Low to moderate water. Good bloomer. Attracts beneficial insects. |
| Coriandrum sativum | Cilantro | Annual. Sun to shade. | Moderate water. Attracts beneficial insects. |
| Eriogonum spp. | Buckwheat | Shrubby perennial. Sun. W | Native. Low to moderate water (depending on specie). Attracts beneficial insects. |
| Garlic | Garlic | Perennial. Sun. | Moderate water. Helps repel aphids. Good general repellent. |
| Lavandula spp. | Lavender | Perennial. Sun. W | Low to moderate water. The fragrant varieties help repel moths. |
| Melissa officinalis | Lemon balm | Spreading, rooting, seeding perennial. Sun to some shade. | Moderate water. A good general repellent for shady spots. |
| Mentha pulegium | Pennyroyal | Creeping, rooting perennial. Sun to shade, but not full shade. | Regular water. Helps control ants. |
| Mentha spicata | Spearmint | Spreading, rooting perennial. Sun to some shade. | Moderate to regular water. Helps repel ants and aphids. |
| Rosmarinus officinalis | Rosemary | Spreading, evergreen shrub. Sun. W | Low to moderate water. Good all-around repellent. Effective barrier against snails and slugs. |
| Sambucus mexicana | Blue Elderberry | Deciduous shrub or tree. Sun to some shade. W | Native. Low to moderate water. The leaves and branches can be stuck down mole and gopher holes. |
| Santolina spp. | Santolina | Evergreen shrubs. Sun. W | No to moderate water, depending on specie and location. Helps repel moths. |
| Tagetes lucida | Mexican Marigold | Perennials, but annual in coldest climates. Sun. | Moderate water. Particularly good at controlling nematodes. |
| Tagetes spp. | Marigold | Annuals and perennials. Sun. | Moderate water. Helps repel whiteflies and nematodes. |
| Tanacetum vulgare | Tansy | Sprawling perennial. Sun. | Moderate water. Thin out clumps annually. Helps repel ants and flying insects. |
| Tropaeolum spp. | Nasturtium | Sprawling, seeding annuals and perennials. Sun to some shade. A, E | Low to moderate water. Aphids are attracted to it, and it can be used as a trap if cut and thrown out. It repels whitefly. |