blueheron, try here.

There are sooo many biting critters out there! Ron, I used to live in an area where sand gnats were a torture. I'm thinking that blueheron might be plagued by what we called no see 'ums.....nearly invisible to the naked eye, but do they ever bite. They're a type of midge.

There are also biting thrips but most people are aware of them flitting around their heads.

Do you have a wetland, pond, marshy area, or poorly drained swale near you? The biting midges have a semi-aquatic life cycle.

When these or other insects like them are bothersome, I'm afraid that it's up to each of us to find the personal protection that works best for us. One can't spray the environment to get rid of these things.

There are lots of good insect repellents on the market.

I think they are no-see-ums. There are poorly drained areas around here. Maybe that is the problem.

We have no see 'ums here too, and I've always wondered if not more than one 'biter', or more than one population explosion per season. :) Sometimes they are an issue, other weeks not at all. But the problem mostly will happen if its going to in evening, when I'm trying to get that last bit of work done before I quit for the day, and they get into my hair, bite my head. Very painful, although it is immediate discomfort and no lasting effects, no swelling or residual itching, redness or anything like that.

I really don't know what they are called, other than darned bug ;) This house is on a hill, no water features, although there is a year round small creek that runs steeply down a ravine across the street.