What insects are biting me when I go to the backyard?

Question

Cincinnati area

Answer 1

It sounds like you have no-see-ums.  Even though the site I am including says that they live by water, we have them out in our yard and we are miles from water:

http://pelotes.jea.com/AnimalFact/Arthro...

They bit quick and they are gone.  It says that they are less than a quarter inch, but they are super tiny.

Answer 2

Maybe it's a rash.  You may be getting hives or some kind of an allergic reaction to something outside.  I used to get itchy rashes whenever I laid in the grass.  I have environmental allergies.

Answer 3

You didn't say where you live which may have helped, but if they are red dots that are not really raising the skin, it sounds like fleas.