Thank you for your advice! The extra work and care I’ll need to take is perfectly fine with me! I’d enjoy even the difficult not-fun parts because that’s just part of it and I know what I’m signing up for. The only thing is I wish there were less mosquitoes 
Plant some of these:
Plants like citronella grass, lavender, basil, marigolds, rosemary, eucalyptus, catnip, and sage can help deter mosquitoes with their strong scents. To increase their effectiveness, consider crushing the leaves to release the aromatic oils and placing potted versions near high-traffic areas like patios, decks, and windows.
Marigolds are easy to find and grow. Basil is a nice herb. Ditto rosemary and sage. Catnip is also easy to find (plants or seeds), and not all cats are attracted to it. I had a friend with a few cats. Only one thought the catnip was fabulous – the rest wouldn’t bother it.
I had success doing a vermicomposting tube in a raised bed. I used a large pipe that had pre drilled holes in it. You can find those in the plumbing dept at diy stores. I put some peat moss, soil and worms in the tube and then you can drop kitchen compost items in the tubes. The worms break down the compost and still make their way through the whole bed via the underground holes. You can get caps to put on the top of the tubes. I didn’t find it necessary personally. I left a couple inches of tube above the soil line and did not fill the soil mix as high in the tube as the surrounding soil. This seemed to be a sufficient tactical deterrent to scavenging animals. I never had any problems with it. And definitely served as the most productive compost I ever had.