Swarm of bugs

Novice gardener here - I’ve been a bit lax in weeding the patio recently and I’ve noticed a few of the weeds have swarms of these little bugs on them. when they’re squashed they are almost blood red. What are they? Will they harm the cat if she encounters them?

 

Not sure what the bugs could be but I doubt whatever they are they would be a problem for your cat.

 

thank you. I was thinking they might be clover mites.

 

With out seeing them I had an inkling that it might be something like that.
I've always assumed they were harmless.

 

yes, it’s hard to get a decent picture of them! It’s the red staining that makes me think clover mites.

I’ve been reading a bit about them and it seems that they invade houses too. Fingers crossed they just stay in the garden!

 

To be honest, in your last picture they dont really look like clover bugs to me.

They appear to be black?

Probably some kind of plant pest being as they are swarming all over that dandelion but not something I recognise.

 

i’ve just discovered there’s something called Dandelion Aphids, so they could be those! Thank you for your help.