What Pests Are Attracted to Specific Colors?

Hi everyone!

I noticed ​​aphids swarming my yellow roses​ but ignoring my purple flowers. My neighbor mentioned pests are drawn to certain colors—is this true? I want to use this to protect my garden but don’t know where to start!

​Background:​

  • Aphids love my yellow roses and marigolds.
  • White porch lights attract moths and mosquitoes.
  • Are there colors that repel pests naturally?

Yellow attracts aphids, whiteflies, and thrips—they mistake it for young leaves. Use yellow sticky traps! Blue draws cucumber beetles. Avoid white outdoor lights, switch to yellow LEDs to cut moths by 60%!

Red mulch repels aphids and squash bugs! They think it’s diseased foliage. Silver reflective mulch confuses whiteflies. Works great for tomatoes!

@BugScientist Do purple flowers attract any pests? My lavender is pest-free but my yellow roses aren’t!

@GardenDetective Purple repels many pests! Lavender’s scent + color deters moths and fleas. Yellow’s the real culprit—replace some roses with purple salvias!

Amber or yellow LED bulbs reduce mosquito attraction by 80% vs. white lights. Use motion-activated lights to minimize exposure.

Nasturtiums are orange/red and repel squash bugs! I plant them near zucchini. Marigolds (orange/yellow) attract aphids BUT also ladybugs that eat them, win-win!

Paint planters blue to deter rabbits! They avoid it like open sky. For slugs, use copper tape!

Make blue sticky traps for thrips! Cut blue plastic cups, coat with petroleum jelly. Hang near greenhouse plants, catches them like magic!

Swapped white porch light for yellow LED + added red mulch. Aphids down by half! Planting lavender next. Thanks, all!

Bees adore blue/purple but hate red. Use red netting over fruit bushes to protect from birds AND bees. Balance is key—mix repellent and pollinator-friendly hues!