Need help identifying and eradicating "bugs"

[blue phlox farm]

This is a weird problem I'm having in my barn. I've lived here for 26 years and I've never had this problem before but I've got one now. Lately whenever I'm in the barn feeding, doing stalls etc. I feel as though something is crawling on my face and neck. I've looked carefully at my skin and can't see anything. Then my non-horsy adult son goes in the barn and immediately feels the crawlies and he actually can see them with his youthful eyes, (mine are on the far side of 50). He described them as non flying little greyish things that washed off when he went directly into our pool. Needless to say he hasn't gone back in the barn again and I still can't see them on me. Anyone have any ideas what they are? They don't seem to be biting, just crawling (which is bad enough) Any ideas how I can kill the suckers?

[MunchkinsMom]

Maybe grain, hay or shavings mites?

[blue phlox farm]

I've never heard of hay, grain or shaving mites but since I have all three in my barn and I have a new sawdust supplier, and new hay comes in all summer then maybe I do have them. Any idea how to get rid of them? (I wonder if they're crawling around on the horses too?) I'm getting itchy thinking about it. I really don't think the Orkin Man can handle this.... Maybe a bunch of cans of Raid for the barn and Off for the horses...(but wait... can't spray the hay for hay mites, now what do I do?)

[JSwan]

Sounds like mites to me too.

[blue phlox farm]

Yikes, so they infest my house next? Where do I get Mite Help? I called my Penn State Ag. Ex. Office and left a message for the Head Farmer Expert to please call me and the receptionist said she had never heard of mites in hay, heard of it in birds, chickens etc, just not hay. So I'm not the only one around here that is amazed at the crawlies in my barn. I'm buying Raid and spraying the hell out off everything after the horses go out tonight. (not the Hay) If anyone out there can help me, I'd sure appreciate it.

[twofatponies]

I've had these bite me when I'm outside in the summer sometimes, like sitting on a stone wall or wooden chair or log - tiny gray non-flying things, somewhat pointy shaped. They give a little pinch when they bite. I always associate them with old damp wood.

If you want to try it yourself I'd spray the floor and walls, especially where walls meet floors, or anywhere with cracks and crevices, or if there are mats, take them out and scrub them, spray underneath, and put them back.

[twofatponies]

They are called Springtails - found in large numbers on damp wood or in humid areas - usually just outside but can be in houses, barns etc. and sometimes get overpopulated. They technically don't bite (at least not purposefully as a blood sucker) but they certainly crawl on you, and there are many reports of people getting bitten and having itchy reactions. I suspect maybe some kinds bite just to get moisture or something, not even realizing you are a human and not just more damp wood.

In any case, look up Springtails and you will find lots of info.

[MunchkinsMom]

Found this on straw itch mites:

http://www.oznet.ksu.edu/news/sty/2004/little_mites092204.htm

If you google it you can find a lot more information out there.