I guess we all need a better description to help with this. Size, and other physical characteristics would help. Trust me, they are not chiggers....which are almost invisible to the naked eye.

I hope we can help ID your biting insect, but I'll warn you: the general rule about insects that bite us is to protect yourself from them with repellants or clothing, and not try to get rid of them all (which would be impossible)! But let's try to find out what it is and we'll go from there.

They sound like Pincher Bugs(Earwigs)

I have them to and am trying to get rid of them..
do they look like this
http://entomology.unl.edu/images/earwigs/euro_earwigs.jpg

Here is a link that might be useful:

Buster that's scary looking! If that thing were on my arm I think I'd pass out.

I finally called a local nursery and tried to describe the bug. They said it's probably a thrip? They are so small I can't see the detail in the picture, but the description sounds about right.

Thanks for the help!

http://www.terminix.com/Pest/Library/index.cfm?fuseaction=category&pestCategory=Stinging&pestID=148

It really sounds like what you have are no-see-ums or see-me-nots. I'm not making those names up. I grew up in Missouri and we called them no-see-ums. Here in Texas, folks call them see-me-nots. They are named that for obvious reasons. The only thing that keeps them off is mosquito spray. We occasionally get a 'swarm' of them and you'll see folks slapping themselves and jumping around for what looks like no reason. They are harmless, but a terrible nuisance.