I think I have something similar with my cypress, I'm going to bake all my cypress one day when I have a lot of free time.  I'm not sure how to kill them otherwise.

More than likely some sort of aphid species - seen all the time in larger warehouse situations (subject to infestation) or in processing plants that do not "cook" their products to appropriate temperatures - there are so many species out there now affecting a variety of tree species such as aspens.  Best suggestion is to remove ALL bedding including excess as far away from house as possible or "bake" it at an acceptable temperature to completely rid of any pests.  This is why it is suggested to freeze or cook any limbs, rocks, etc. from outside before placing them in enclosures.  I would imagine they look something like this:

Thanks for the responses so far - they are definitely not aphids, they more or less resemble gnats... their antennae are pointed forward and curl outward very slightly. Their wings are closed and pointed down, making the top of the body look almost boat-like and barely taper off the insect's body. Their legs are very small, too, and stay close to the body. It's very hard to see their legs unless you get up close. Water seems to really attract them, too. I haven't seen any of them drown in the water, but sit on the surface until they skitter off. I'm not sure if aphids can climb smooth surfaces like glass or porcelain...no idea.

All I know is that I'm never going to that pet shop again. I've never had an issue like this before regarding excess pests. Since I live in Arizona, could I just leave the bags of aspen in my car out in the sun for a day or two? It gets pretty hot here anyway :P

They almost look like them, but their antennae curl ourward a little more. I thought springtails didn't have wings? I've never used them since I don't have any natural planted tanks and/or amphibians in my home... They seem to like my BTS's fresh poop too since I just spot cleaned and a few were stuck onto his "present" for me.

In the future I would suggest freezing your aspen for about 48 hrs before putting it in your skink's cage. Have you changed out the buggy bedding yet?

Kind of hard to freeze my aspen when both of my fridge/freezers are stocked up to the bursting point. =/ I think the best option is not to use that pet store's aspen anymore anyway. I just went there once and decided to kill two birds with one stone while picking up a snail by grabbing a bag of very overpriced aspen. I'll just go to my regular place instead of trying to take a shortcut, especially when I've never had an issue like this before.

I haven't changed the substrate yet as the bug issue has died down after using some animal-safe bug spray in my bathroom and along the outside rim of my blue tongue's tank (I took him out and allowed the animal-safe spray that isn't an aerosol dry before putting him back in) including the cords from his lighting system and stand. I basically lightly sprayed a paper towel with the substance before wiping it over 4'' of glass from the top lip of the tank. I also researched the ingredients of the spray and it is indeed safe to use around reptiles (geraniol, thyme oil, water, 2-propanol, butyl lactate, soap, isopropyl myristate).

Thanks for everyone's responses so far...if anyone can post any more ideas on what the bugs are, that'd be great. If it helps the shop also has rabbits with hay and whatnot (I'm not a rabbit person)?

i would more than likely say you wound up with those pesky little bugs that I had when I was using bedding, they are a pain to get rid of and we ended up having to remove all of the animals and bomb the house with flea bombs to kill them all, they just wouldnt die..

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Hey I just met you. And this is crazy. But award some points. Close this question, maybe?