Beat backyard bugs!

The arrival of warmer weather also means the onset of mosquito season! Luckily, mint can keep those pests away without any chemicals, says Charles W.G. Smith, author of The Big Book of Gardening Secrets. Dabbing diluted peppermint oil on your exposed skin provides almost 100% protection from mosquito bites for hours, an Indian study shows.

✤ Mint Rx! Add 10 drops of peppermint oil to every ounce of your favorite sunscreen. Or crush a few fresh mint leaves to activate their menthol, then rub directly on your skin.