bugs in the yard?

Question

my tennants kids can't play in their back yard because they get ate up.i get no bites until i notice a small elm growing into the foundation.when i bent it over to step on it and break it off i got lots of stings or bites from something.very painful,can't see the insect but you can definitely feel the bites or stings.they appear to move around as if possibly under the skin.any idea's what they may be?one of her kids get so ate up them that she has had to take them to doctor.he says not an allergy,it's definitely a bug or insect.maybe sandfleas?she also has a stack of treated lumber laying next to where they appear to be

they are not ants.they are to small to even be seen.i'm a retired farmer whatever they are most closely resemmbles chiggers but,with a sting that reminds you a stinger leaf.

Answer 1

Your Offender, Is The Insect = No-See-Ums... I live in the South, and these are here year around. I have double window screens, and these things still come right though them, and when they bite, I do get the - Itchey Water Blisters.

Common Name: Biting Midges = No-see-ums
Scientific Name: Culicoides spp. (Insecta: Diptera: Ceratopogonidae)
For Introduction, Distribution, Description, Life Cycle, Medical Significance, Management & Prevention:
Please See: http://creatures.ifas.ufl.edu/aquatic/biting_midges.htm
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Often referred to as Punkies (Family Ceratopogonidae), and N0-See-Ums;
These minute gnats deserve their pidgin-English name because they are indeed almost too small to be seen, even when their presence is painfully felt. The effects of the bite are far out of proportion to the size of the biter. They are barely 1/32 inch and easily pass through ordinary window screen. The effects of the No-See-Ums Bite are Inflammatory Swelling followed by Intense Itching, which may continue for a week or longer. A water filled blister may form at the site of the bite. They are often being found in damp surface, sand, and in river bed depressions.
http://whatsthatbug.com/nosee.html
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It is the female that inflicts the nasty bite because she needs blood to complete her egg laying process. Consequently they go after any exposed skin, be it human or animal.
http://camping.about.com/od/glossaryofcampingterms/g/gt0057.htm

Answer 2

To get rid of them look for either Safer's "Mosquito Patrol" or Cutter "Bug Free Back Yard". Both are based on organic Pyrethrum extract and will be safe for the kids and effective on your insects. The scent repels most insects but will kill the ones that decide not to go elsewhere. Additionally, Pyrethrum is very safe for humans, pets etc.

Answer 3

Sounds like ants. You can get good ant repellent from any hardware store. Pour boiling water on the nest. That also helps. For bites, put vinegar on them. It brings out the sting and stops the itching.

Answer 4

get rid of the lumber and spray all around the base of the house. ants sting really good too.

Answer 5

Fire ants!! I hate those things. Mean, vicious, little buggers.