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The image shows a plastic bottle with a yellow cap attached to a wooden fence, containing a jar of...
The image shows a plastic bottle with a yellow cap attached to a wooden fence, containing a jar of bees. The label on the bottle indicates that it is a bee repellent.

How a Simple Bug Bite Suction Tool Became a $15M Global Sensation

A simple suction tool for relieving bug bites has grown into a global product. The Bug Bite Thing, invented by Kelley Higney and Ellen McAlister, started as a small-scale solution for mosquito itching. Now, it's sold in major retailers like Target and is expected to bring in over $15 million in 2021 alone. Higney and McAlister designed the Bug Bite Thing to remove irritants from insect bites, bee stings, and other bug-related skin reactions. The syringe-like device works by sucking poison out of the skin, reducing itching almost immediately. Lightweight and easy to carry, it was also made with children in mind.

The pair first sold the product on a smaller scale before seeking investment. They appeared on *Shark Tank* to expand production and distribution. There, Barbara Corcoran and Rohan Oza offered $200,000 for a 10% stake in the company. Since then, the **Bug Bite Thing** has moved into big-box stores, including Target. Priced at $9.95 per unit, it continues to expand into new markets worldwide.

The Bug Bite Thing has grown from a niche product to a widely available solution for bug bites. Its success on Shark Tank helped push it into major retail chains, with sales projected to exceed $15 million in 2021. The device remains a portable, child-friendly option for relieving itching caused by insect bites.

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