I hope the tea tree oil works. Let me know. We could crusting use something to Roelands them, especially my husband. When he's around I barely worry abut being bitten because they prefer him! 😆
It is very difficult to grow in the height of summer here and I struggle to water often enough. My soil also needs improvement, but I'm slowly getting there.
Yes I can understand that in the 'dessert' it is difficult to grow, but not impossible. You could start with putting leaves on top of your soil, call it a layer of mulch, in this way you protect it from direct sunlight on in. In this way you also give the soil natural nutrients and the insect in the soil will love it.
And here in Greece we have this Green shade cloth for above the garden, to protect the plants from direct sunlight.
I think that are the first steps to make a garden work in hot temperatures
Lucky you that they like to eat your husband more then you, haha here i am alone and there only choice....