If you’re a fan of Shark Tank, you may remember Kelley Higney from the 2019 season—not just because she and her mother received offers from all five Sharks and got the Golden Ticket offer from Lori Greiner—but because their product, Bug Bite Thing, has grown into a company that is making a huge difference in tick-borne disease prevention. GLA is thrilled to honor Higney at the upcoming Gala. Whether you attend and get to meet Higney in person or you use one of her products, you should know her compelling story and the incredible impact she’s having on our community.
What is Bug Bite Thing?
A family-owned business started in Higney’s garage, Bug Bite Thing is now a thriving company offering a chemical-free suction tool to remove insect saliva/venom from bug bites and stings, which reduces itching, swelling, and pain; a tick remover tool with a patented, dual-end design that combines fine-tipped tweezers with a slotted scoop, the only tick removal device of its kind on the market; and a tick testing kit, powered by TickReport, which can help you learn what disease-causing pathogens a tick that bites you may have been carrying. The recipient of over 30 awards, Bug Bite Thing is currently available in 34 countries with an online presence that is growing daily. “The greatest reward is knowing that something I discovered while trying to help my own daughter has now helped millions of families find relief,” says Higney.
Starting with Mosquito Bites
Bug Bite Thing began with Higney’s determination to help her daughter, who experienced severe reactions to mosquito bites after the family moved to South Florida. When conventional remedies provided little relief, Higney researched what people in other countries were using and discovered a little-known suction tool that transformed her family’s quality of life. “I created the Bug Bite Thing brand and began selling the suction tools at bake sales at my daughter’s school and local farmer’s markets,” recalls Higney. “Parents started seeking me out and telling me how much the product was helping their families. As demand grew, we sold our family home to secure exclusive U.S. distribution rights and invest in our first major inventory order.”
Launching With Shark Tank
Bug Bite Thing took off after Higney and her mother appeared on Shark Tank and received the offers. Lori Greiner became their investor and business partner, helping them bring their product to a much wider audience. “Shark Tank gave us an extraordinary platform to educate millions of people about a chemical-free option for bite and sting relief,” Higney reflects. “What began with conversations at a school bake sale became a mission with global reach.”
Moving into the Tick Space
Mosquitos, as the Lyme community well knows, are not the only bugs that can cause problems. As Bug Bite Thing grew, Higney began receiving thousands of comments and questions that revealed a significant need for education around ticks. “People were unsure how to remove ticks properly, sharing misinformation that could put them at greater risk, and describing how lost they felt when trying to find answers or navigate care,” says Higney. “When families trust you enough to share their fears and experiences, you have a responsibility to listen and take them seriously.”
Higney and her team began building relationships with organizations like GLA and with leading tick experts so they could connect people with credible information and appropriate resources. “We wanted to use our reach to make that knowledge accessible within our community and far beyond it.”
Beyond helping spread accurate information, Bug Bite Thing also expanded their brand to include tick tools. “That evolution came from listening to what our customers needed before, during, and after a tick encounter,” says Higney. “We expanded our education around prevention and recognized the need for a tool designed specifically for tick removal. That led to our acquisition of TickEase and the introduction of the Bug Bite Thing Tick Remover. Alongside the tool, we emphasized education on prompt, proper removal.”
The team then focused on what happens after tick removal. “We wanted people to understand the value of saving the tick for identification and the option of testing it,” notes Higney. Bug Bite Thing Tick Testing, powered by TickReport, uses DNA and RNA testing to check the submitted tick for a range of disease-causing pathogens, providing information about potential exposure. Customers can then share the resulting report, which includes the test findings and information about the tick itself, with their healthcare provider. “Our goal is to help families understand their options and seek appropriate support with more information and less confusion.”
Understanding the Needs of Tick-Borne Disease Patients
Higney doesn’t just offer trustworthy practical tools; she also has deep compassion for those in the tick-borne disease community. “I have learned how vulnerable people can feel when they are frightened about their health or their child’s health and they don’t know where to turn,” she muses. “Those conversations have also shown me how easily misinformation and unsupported promises can exploit that fear. When someone is desperate for answers, a confident claim can sound credible.” This vulnerability has made Higney very intentional about the experts her company works with and the information they share. “People deserve accurate guidance, honesty about what is known and what remains uncertain, and resources that help them find qualified support. They also deserve to feel that someone is listening.”
Bug Bite Thing and GLA
Higney says that Bug Bite Thing’s relationship to GLA “is built on a shared commitment to education and supporting families affected by Lyme and other tick-borne diseases. GLA brings expertise, resources, and a strong connection to the patient community. We bring an established consumer audience and the ability to put that information in front of people who might otherwise never encounter it.”
Higney also shares, “For me the heart of this work is making sure people’s concerns are heard and answered responsibly. We want families to have the knowledge to protect themselves and to know that organizations like GLA exist when they need education, resources, and support. No one should feel they have to navigate this alone.”
GLA is proud to partner with Higney, and looks forward to celebrating her extraordinary contributions to the community by honoring her at the Gala!
