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.
