I wish I could provide a photo, or at least give a really good description of these little miscreants, but alas, they are so fast that it is difficult to get a really good look at them.

I relocated last November and currently live about a block from a small, manmade lake. Across the road from my house is a wooded area. I presume these two facts have something to do with this. I also have a fair few mature trees and shrubs on the property which I love, but I realise they may be providing shelter to these bugs, too.

Anyway, I was outside in the backyard a couple of nights ago in the early evening before dark and suddenly felt a very stinging bite on my leg. It turned out to be not one bite but a series of bites the longer I sat there. The little devils flew very fast and looked black to me. I presume they are flies, but I really have no idea what they are. They bit my bare legs. They bit through my socks and my t-shirt. I gave up and went indoors. I presume they were biting my dog, who I let stay in the yard for short periods of time if the weather is nice. The insect bites were still stinging and itching at least 20-30 minutes later. It stopped after I bathed. No welts were raised like with mosquitos.

A short while ago this afternoon, I took my dog into the yard to feed him his apple. He gets one piece of fruit each afternoon. I stood on the steps as he gobbled up his apple pieces, and as I stood there, once again I was attacked! I tried to swat them, but as I said they move very fast indeed. As soon as he finished his apple, I grabbed his dish and went back indoors. He wanted to remain outside, so I let him stay out for a bit. Either they. do not try to bite him or he is oblivious to them which I find hard to believe given how sharp are their bites!

As I said, I presume they were flies, but I have no real idea. They are going to make it impossible to spend any quality time in the yard this season if I cannot figure out what they are and how to deal with them. I live west of Dallas. Anyone know what these little biting bullies are called? What can I do about them? Of course I know I can have a pest control company spray, but that would mean killing many insects I do not want to harm such as butterflies, ladybugs, caterpillars, etc.

Also noticed another bug species running around the ground in the grass today whilst I was outside. They were small and iridescent and moved quite fast. I have no idea if they can fly or not. Anyone know what they are? Whatever they are, I bet they bite!

Can anyone tell me what either or both of these bugs are and what I can do to get rid of them?! If I can somehow capture a photo of them, I will post it. Thanks.

ETA: This morning in the bright sun, I saw one of these flies land on my dog as we were on our morning walk. I was not wearing my spectacles, but I was able to get a fairly good look at it. It definitely looked like a fly albeit a little smaller than the common housefly. Its body was dark and the wings were quite clear. The wings looked slightly more elongated than those of a common housefly. I think it was trying to bite my dog's back, but his fur is thick enough that I am not sure it was able to push through. My dog showed no signs of feeling a bite, although I know the bite is painful. I hope I can snap a photo of one or more some time today.

Perhaps your attackers are the same as the tiny flies plaguing us now. Some people call them midges. Ordinary insect repellents do not seem to impress them, but vanilla or peppermint oil do seem to discourage them. You might try some with your flies.

There are all sorts of biting flies - we have some that look a lot like, but are a little smaller than, the usual housefly; they show up in the late summer (August or so) and are very persistent and annoying. Earlier in the season the tiny black flies will take a chunk out of your skin without you noticing it until you discover blood running down your arm (or wherever - they seem to particularly like my eyelids)...

What to do about them? Cover up with clothing.

porkpal said: Perhaps your attackers are the same as the tiny flies plaguing us now. Some people call them midges. Ordinary insect repellents do not seem to impress them, but vanilla or peppermint oil do seem to discourage them. You might try some with your flies.

I will try it! Do I apply the oil to my body or to the grass and shrubs?? Sorry if that sounds like a really dumb question, but I really have no idea at all.

Weedwhacker said: There are all sorts of biting flies - we have some that look a lot like, but are a little smaller than, the usual housefly; they show up in the late summer (August or so) and are very persistent and annoying. Earlier in the season the tiny black flies will take a chunk out of your skin without you noticing it until you discover blood running down your arm (or wherever - they seem to particularly like my eyelids)...

What to do about them? Cover up with clothing.

That sounds dreadful! It is much too hot and humid here to add extra clothing. Besides, they were biting right through my socks and shirt. I am going to try the peppermint oil. If that does not work, I suppose I will have to resort to OFF!. I hate that stuff, though. I cannot believe it is harmless to people to put that on our skin. Still, I want to enjoy nice days and nights as we have them.

The little flies here do not respond to Off. I dribble vanilla or peppermint oil onto my cap and a bandanna to keep them away from my face. I always wear long clothing so they mainly go for my eyes and ears. If you are being bitten through your clothes, those are probably different flies.

porkpal said: The little flies here do not respond to Off. I dribble vanilla or peppermint oil onto my cap and a bandanna to keep them away from my face. I always wear long clothing so they mainly go for my eyes and ears. If you are being bitten through your clothes, those are probably different flies.

Well, one of the little beggars sneaked into the house via the backdoor a couple of nights ago. Later saw it resting on a kitchen cupboard door and managed to snap these photos. These look a little smaller than houseflies to me.

Anyone recognise the little miscreant??

Could be a "black fly" - known for painful bites.

It looks black, and it has crystal clear wings. I am one block from a lake, and across the street from my house is a lot of undeveloped brush land, for want of a better way to describe it.

I do not know what they are, but their bites are ferocious. It is a piercing bite that immediately gets your attention, but you cannot get to the offender quickly enough to kill it. I hate to walk around with a can of Raid in my hand, but I am not sure what else to do. Saw a lovely black caterpillar on the ground this morning meandering along. I know it will turn into a beautiful butterfly. Also saw a Ladybug on the wall. I hate to spray poison because I do not want to hurt these other creatures.

I wonder if I put out a jar with something sweet in it if it would attract these flies and kill them??

Last year I saw a great video on YouTube for attracting and killing a ton of wasps without pesticide. I want to try it this year, but I am at a loss as to what to do about these miniature vampires.

Eek that's not fun. We have no-see-ums and mosquitoes in Florida. I use the Bath and Body Works Lavender or Spearmint lotions (in brown bottles) before going out. Sometimes I put a little on my hair so mosquitoes won't bite my head.

It looks similar (and your description is similar) to what we call "deer flies" here. Definitely not what we call "black flies," which are very tiny and you don't usually even notice them biting until the blood starts running... but, I'm sure the biting flies have different "common" names in different parts of the country. And really, the best defense is more clothing and possibly a head net (or staying indoors).

I have a head net, but more clothing is out of the question. We have triple digit temps here with very high humidity, and I am very susceptible to the heat. It makes me sick really fast. On really bad days, I get sick within 5 minutes of being outside.

Deer flies, eh? I suppose that could be what they are.....