Bitey bug identification

[CharnwoodFire]

Since yesterday, I've had bites appear across my body : I'm desperate to know what is biting and how to get rid...

Backstory:
In summer 2022 we bought this house with a large overgrown garden. Whilst attacking the garden, I got bitten - big individual lumpy bites that randomly appear on any exposed skin- midriff, neck, ankles, feet, arms. Since then, during every summer, I've not been able to go into the garden without being bitten (unless I dress in burka-esk clothing). The bites (and bugs, I presume) completely disappear in winter, then come back each summer.

My oh isn't as badly bitten by these fuckers - misogynistic little twa*s

Anyway - it seems that yesterday, they made their summer return.

Pleaseeeeeee - does anyone have any suggestions for what the invisible bug might be and what I can do about it?
I'm desperate - please help me identify (read - kill) the little fucjers.

In the garden we have:
Large old beech trees/beech hedge
Large old apple trees
Ducks, geese, chickens
Overgrown sections of garden border
Ants (but I would 1000% notice if I had ants crawling on me yuck yack yuckty yuck)
... I can't think of any other relevant thing in our garden...

fleas or midges

Can't be fleas - I don't have a dog or a cat
And I can't see this bug, so it's unlikely to be midges? (though they are like midge bites)

Chicken fleas

It could easily be fleas if you have animals crossing your garden.

possibly midges. Too many bites for mosquitoes.

Have you tried using insect repellant?

If the bites are itchy, I recommend Afterbite for instant relief

Wildlife such as rabbits carry fleas, you don't have to have a pet. Depending what part of the country you are in I would think midges or mosquitoes.

If they are really bad you could try an antihistamine after. I also suffer badly from insect bite so you have my sympathy but I don't think you will be able to get rid of them from the garden. Encouraging natural predators will help. So maybe a pond to attract birds and frogs?