Plant This Herb Near Your Grill For Fresh Seasoning And Protection From Bugs

Nothing says "good times" to a foodie than firing up the grill. From the mouthwatering aroma of steaks sizzling over the coals to mastering how to serve up perfect, shell-on shrimp, it is hands-down one of the best ways to chill out with the fam and friends. But just as day follows night, warmer weather means several uninvited guests will start to make their presence felt while the grill's doing its thing: bugs.

Yes, we can smother every inch of our skin in chemical-based sprays or creams or put up fine mesh nets (yawn) to keep the irritating critters at arm's length, but — as so often happens — Mother Nature has a good solution, too. Planting oregano near the spot where you grill can help repel mosquitoes, and studies suggest oregano oil can do the same for fire ants and even bed bugs, too. Turns out, the Mediterranean herb's secret sauce is in the plant's stems and smaller leaves. These contain two compounds, antioxidant carvacrol and thymol, which are effective at repelling insects, including mosquitoes.

Although the studies above did focus on the oil from Origanum onites, also known as Turkish oregano, and Origanum vulgare, which green-fingered folk will recognize as wild marjoram, the plants themselves still contain those goodies. If your grill is in a sunny spot, your soil has decent drainage, and it's not too cold most of the time, growing your own oregano in the ground should be easy-peasy. If you don't have those conditions, put it in a pot.

Planting oregano near your grill will not only make your yard look pretty and provide a constant supply of the herb if you pick it correctly, but it can also help keep biting bugs at bay. Even better, oregano is just the tip of the natural bug-repelling iceberg. Rosemary is tough as old boots and will thrive in almost any soil and weather conditions, so you don't have to be an expert gardener to successfully grow it. Its tiny purple flowers look gorgeous, but most importantly, mosquitoes and flies cannot stand rosemary's strong odor. Basil is another mosquito-repelling plant, and what better addition to this easy Tuscan chicken recipe than throwing in a handful of its fresh leaves?

Plants that have powerful scents, such as lemongrass and peppermint, are other solid, natural ways to prevent bugs from ruining your next cookout. Forget buying citronella candles that cause a lot of smoke and do nothing to stop mosquitoes from munching on your skin. You can surround your grilling station with an array of oregano and other herbs in either terracotta or plastic pots for a vibrant — and practical, low-cost, and eco-friendly — display. Just make sure to keep an eye on how well they drain, as mosquitoes are attracted to pools of standing or stagnant water.