Banana peels can stop a flea infestation, and washing your floor with vinegar repels ants.
It may be a belief or idea which repels us, which we are unwilling to accept but which seems inescapable.
While marigold isn't a vegetable, the strong scent of marigolds repels the tomato hornworm.
A strong fabric that resists tearing, repels water and retains warmth, it was the natural choice for people living mostly outdoor lives in cold, damp and windy areas.
Bay leaf, for example, keeps weevils from flour and grain products, while basil naturally repels flies.