What the HELL ARE These Pests?!?

Sounds like Springtail flies. We used to get them every year. They look black and are not much larger than a speck of pepper. In fact, that is what I thought I was seeing until it hopped away from me. I also did the scotch tape thing to grab one. If that is what they are they are harmless but annoying. When I called our exterminator he told me that it wasn't worth trying to get rid of them as it would be pretty expensive. They tend to show up in the spring and early summer months...they like mulch and dampness. After a few weeks ours were gone. This is the first year in about five that I haven't seen them, thank goodness.