Mint is an unusual plant in that it not only attracts beneficial insects, but repels many unwanted insects as well.

Do bugs like the smell of mint?

Insects hate peppermint. In fact, the stick bug uses a milky substance it can emit from behind its head that fills the air with the scent of peppermint. The bug uses this to fight off predators, as the scent is an unbearable irritant to most insects.

Does mint plant attract flies?

A: Mint repels a lot of insects but not all. A few insects are actually attracted to the scent of mints. If the flies aren’t harming the plants, just let them do their thing. They’ll eventually move on.