I season everything with garlic, except desserts, LOL. I usually grow basil in a planter outside my kitchen door. It gets so hot here in Oklahoma. Couple of years ago, I had a garden about 100 feet from the house. I wore long sleeves, long pants, wrist and ankle covers, and a mosquito net hat with a veil. The little monsters would bite me where my pants, which were loose fitting, would stretch tight over my butt or knees if I crouched or bent over. They were RELENTLESS. Maybe I’ll try again this year. The vacant lot next door, which was an absolute jungle, has been bulldozed down. I’m thinking of getting some bat houses. Years ago, up north, our neighbors had a big cedar tree cut down, which had housed many bats. We had almost no mosquitoes until the tree was cut down. After that, the kids got bitten up every time they went outside.
That is a shame you are so prone to being bit. I dislike wearing repellent so I usually go out super early in the morning and work until the skeeters wake up. It works for me.
I have been after hubby to build us some bat houses since we moved here 7 yrs ago. I hope you get yours :)