I grow both onion and garlic chives and use them as a repellent for many unwanted chewing insects.
Drop a handful of fresh leaves into the blender with 2 cups water and puree let stand an hour, strain through cheese cloth and use as a spray . I add a little honey to make it stick when spraying fresh peaches to deter the horrid Japanese beetle.
I also grow comfrey the large leaves are used as a mulch to smother newly sprouting weeds, and in compost tea as a fertilizer.
Tansy planted near my bench to keep away mosquitoes. I also tuck some in the pockets of my jeans or in the brim of my hat while working.
