Parents swear by this 'lifesaver' $22 gadget to get rid of pesky bug bites — it has more than 38,000 5-star reviews
Amazon shoppers say this "amazing" device relieves itchiness from mosquito and bug bites — but does it actually work?
My oldest son has been a mosquito magnet since birth. It’s unreal; we go outside for a minute, and the bugs manage to find the one area on his body without insect repellent. I've purchased sprays and such to relieve the itching, but it’s always a struggle to apply (“Mama, it’s going to sting; I know it!” he shouts as I chase him around the kitchen.)
On one of my daily FaceTime chats with my sister, she asked me if I had heard about the Bug Bite Thing. I thought she was joking, but then she held up this mini plunger and I was intrigued. After a bit more research — and my son's blessing — I headed over to Amazon to purchase this $22 gadget that promises to remove any under-the-skin irritants from pests and eliminate itchiness.
After the package arrived, my son wanted to test it out immediately after a pesky mosquito bite during a night swim. I was honestly skeptical, but guess what? It totally worked. This little gizmo provided relief on his irritating bites, and as any parent knows, life is exponentially better when your kiddos are comfortable. Interested? Scroll below to learn why the Bug Bite Thing has racked up more than 38,000 5-star reviews and has been dubbed a "lifesaver" by shoppers.
This chemical-free gadget is a safe way to provide relief from painful and itchy bug bites.
- Provides relief from itchy bug bites
- Super easy to use
- Kids will love it
- Suction can cause marks on skin
- Pricey compared to some solutions
The details
This compact, reusable plastic device measures 2 x 6 x 9 cm and was created in 2017 by a mother-daughter duo looking for a chemical-free way to treat bug bites.
Through a simple suction mechanism, insect venom and saliva are removed from under the skin, which stops the swelling and itchiness caused by a bug bite.
Bites from mosquitos, wasps, biting flies and more can all be treated with this easy-to-use gadget. For best results, it's recommended you use it immediately after a bite or sting. It can also be used to remove splinters.
Another great feature? You can attach it to your keychain so it's always on hand.
How does the Bug Bite Thing work?
There are three simple steps:
1) Pull handles up slightly until you feel suction
2) Hold for 10-20 second
3) Push down on handles to release suction.
Pro tip: When using on children or delicate skin, it's best to only bring the handles halfway up or less — and only hold for 5-10 seconds.
Bug Bite Thing Suction Tool
The reversible cap also allows you to use the device on smaller areas like fingers or toes, but it's not recommended for use on the face or neck.
What I like about it
My kids love it: There are a lot of things that can be used on bug bites, but most of them my kids won't allow me to use. This gadget is one my littles actually love! It's kind of like a toy meets a tool, which makes it a huge hit with kids.
No chemicals or added ingredients: The power of suction is all that is required for this device to work.
It was invented by two moms: Moms know how hard it is to treat splinters and bites, so knowing this product was created by two moms makes me trust it even more.
Room for improvement
Suction strength can be quite mighty: Honestly, there is very little about this product I would complain about. One thing that you need to be careful of is managing the suction strength. The first time I used it on my son, I used too much suction, and it left a red welt on his arm. My son thought it looked cool and was disappointed when the mark faded — but I was horrified, especially when he went around showing it to his counsellors at camp.
A bit pricey: At $22, this gadget isn't exactly a deal. But listen, I would pay twice the price for anything that actually works on those pesky summer bites. That said, I'll be keeping an eye out for when it goes on sale.
Bug Bite Thing Suction Tool
What shoppers are saying
With more than 70,000 reviews (nearly 39,000 of which are a perfect 5 stars), I'm not the only one giving this gadget top marks.
"It really works!" said one reviewer. However, they cautioned that they applied too much suction at first, which did create a red mark, so they suggested applying a "gentler pressure."
Another shopper said they're "happy" with the device so far, using it to pull out a hornet stinger from their husband's finger.
"Amazing" is how one parent described the Bug Bite Thing, saying that the device is a total "lifesaver." They went on to say they've been using nonstop and can't believe the results: "Bug bite in the morning, gone by dinner."
The verdict
I love this gadget so much that I emailed the inventors, thanking them for designing it. It's so simple and safe — you wonder why someone hadn't invented it sooner. At $22, they aren't exactly giving it away, but I assure you it's worth every cent (and I'll be updating this article if I spot any deals!) Just be mindful of the suction and start with the handles halfway up, otherwise you or your kids might have to deal with red marks.
Let us know what you think by emailing us, commenting below and tweeting @YahooStyleCA! Follow us on Twitter and Instagram.
