Kelley Higney and her mother, Ellen McAlister, created Bug Bite Thing in 2015 to help people relieve insect bites without chemicals. Their appearance on Shark Tank in 2019 led to a $150,000 investment from Lori Greiner, boosting the company’s visibility.
Today, Bug Bite Thing is available in over 30,000 stores, including CVS and Target, with millions in annual sales. In 2023, the company expanded by acquiring TickEase, adding tick removal tools to its product line. Recognized on the Inc.
5000 list for fast growth, Bug Bite Thing continues to thrive, bringing relief to millions worldwide.
Bug Bite Thing Net Worth
| Net worth | $21 million (2025) |
| Annual Sales Revenue | $25 million |
| Investor | Lori Greiner |
| Founder | Ellen McAlister and Kelley Higney |
| Employees | 11-50 employees |
Bug Bite Thing Pitch on Shark Tank
| Company name | Bug Bite Thing |
| Product | Suction tool for relief after bug bites |
| Episode | Season 11 Episode 04 |
| Founders | Ellen McAlister and Kelley Higney |
| Asked for | $150,000 for 10% equity |
| Final deal | $150,000 for 10% equity |
| Shark | Lori Greiner |
| Location | Port St Lucie, Florida, US |
Bug Bite Thing Founders
Bug Bite Thing was founded by Ellen McAlister and Kelley Higney in 2016. Kelley Higney. Bug Bite Thing’s founders, Ellen McAlister and Kelley Higney , have a net worth of $21 million as of 2025.
Key accomplishments
| Year | Accomplishment |
| 2019 | Appeared on Shark Tank season 11 and Lori Greiner invested $150,000 for 10% equity. |
| 2020 | best-seller for insect bite relief on Amazon. |
| 2022 | The company was awarded the Stevie Award for Female Entrepreneur of the Year by the Stevie Awards for Women in Business. |
Conclusion
From their beginnings on Shark Tank to their current status as a thriving business, they have proven that with the right idea and execution, anything is possible. We can’t wait to see the future for Bug Bite Thing and its continued success.