• Kelley Higney founded Bug Bite Thing when her family suffered from constant mosquito bites in South Florida
• The company was pitched on ABC’s show Shark Tank, and has since seen exponential success

About Bug Bite Thing 

Bug Bite Thing is dedicated to offering people a chemical-free and eco-friendly solution that alleviates the discomfort, stinging, itching, and swelling caused by bug bites and bee/wasp stings. The reusable suction tool removes insect saliva/venom from under the skin and is reusable, chemical-free, and safe to use on children of all ages, as well as adults. It is Amazon’s #1 selling product for insect bite relief.

Bug Bite Thing’s History

Kelley Higney is the founder and CEO of Bug Bite Thing. Kelley grew up in San Diego, California, and worked with her mother, Ellen McAlister, on the family’s international export and distribution business for 15 years before starting Bug Bite Thing. Kelley and her family relocated to South Florida and were unprepared for how mosquitos would impact their quality of life. The family was suffering from constant mosquito bites, and after many failed attempts using creams and trying home remedies, Kelley discovered a little-known tool that uses suction to help remove insect
saliva/venom from under the skin. Kelley was amazed to
find that the product worked well and offered instant relief. 

In 2017, Kelley Higney was selling Bug Bite Thing at local farmers’ markets and bake sales. Then one day, there was a conversation about Bug Bite Thing in a local South Florida Mom Group on social media. The local news picked up on that conversation and contacted Kelley for an interview, resulting in thousands of units of inventory being sold out in just one week. 

In 2019, Kelley Higney and her mother, Ellen, appeared on ABC’s hit show Shark Tank and pitched the Sharks to invest in their company. They had all the Sharks biting with offers and accepted inventor and entrepreneur Lori Greiner’s “Golden Ticket” as an expression of her strong interest in the company. Since appearing on Shark Tank, the company’s sales increased overnight. 

Today, Bug Bite Thing is sold by major retail chains including Walmart, FSA Store, Home Depot, REI, Bed Bath & Beyond, True Value Hardware, The Grommet, BattlBox, and other independent retailers. 

Bug Bite Thing won the Gold Stevie Award for Management Categories - Woman of the Year - Consumer Products and a Bronze Stevie Award for Achievement Categories - Achievement in Growth in The 2021 American Business Awards®.

Interested in entering The 2022 American Business Awards? Request the entry kit.