Question
I live in a rental house that has tall fir trees in the back yard and no one had taken car of the yard in years. I would like to plan grass to have a nice area for my cats to lounge but when i start to rake up the inches of fir needles and expose the soil i can see TONS on tiny little bugs at appear to be hopping around and then disappear. should i be concerned about these bugs? what can i do?

Answer
Dayna:

I do not know what the bugs are.  If they do not bite you and live under fir needles, they will probably not hurt the lawn.  To be sure, I would take a sample to your local ag agent for identification.  They are probably associated with the fir mulch environment and will not stay around for a new lawn.

If harmful to lawn, quadrapeds or bipeds, I would treat with the appropriate pesticide.  If not, then plant grass.  The soil ought to be in good shape after being covered by mulch.  Leave a shallow layer of needles for the grass seed, or cover with straw and fertilize.

Best wishes.