Tiny bugs in wood chip

Question

Hi,
I could really do with some advice I have recently turned part of my garden into a play area for my children with a big climbing frame with swings and slides they absolutley love it, but I have a problem I have used wood chip as a base on the ground as I know it’s used in a lot of children’s play areas and would cushion a fall. In the last week I have noticed that there are tiny white bugs in the wood chip, they are hard to see with the naked eye as when they crawl on your skin they blend in and appear to be the same colour as skin. Say for instance I stand pushing my children on the swings for 5 minutes if I look at my feet and legs if I’m wearing shorts they are crawling all over me nit just a few but hundreds. The only way I can describe them is that they are like blood suckers but instead of being red are skin coloured. Please can anyone advise me if these are safe and nothing to worry about or if not what action I take to get rid of them. Many thanks

Answer 1

You could treat the mulch with Neem Oil.
Neem Oil is organic and safe for people and pets.

https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/plant-problems/pests/pesticides/neem-oil-uses.htm

You may also want to check with a pest control company in your area.