With warm, humid summers in New York’s most mountainous region, my family is prone to dozens of bug bites on any given day. We’ve tried all the natural bug repellents on the market, but my kids still end up polka-dotted with mosquito bites as if their blood tastes like bug candy.

Instead of trying to prevent them in the first place—my top priority, which seems futile—I started looking at ways to make the itchy, scratchy and oh-so-terrible bites more tolerable for my little ones.

I discovered the Bug Bite Thing, a small and easy-to-use Amazon gadget that promises to suck the irritant-causing residues out of bug bites, helping them heal faster and without itching. With more than 79,000 Amazon reviews and a 4.0-star rating, I knew my family had to get its hands on the Bug Bite Thing.

What is the Bug Bite Thing?

bug bite thing back of packageBryce Gruber for Family Handyman

The Bug Bite Thing is a small plastic device that sucks mosquito saliva out of affected areas. If used early enough, the Bug Bite Thing speeds healing and reduces swelling and itching.

It’s small enough to fit in your pocket or handbag, doesn’t require charging or special batteries and it’s easy for kids to use on themselves. Plus, it’s affordable and reusable — two features Amazon shoppers love.

Believing bug spray will guard you against every bug bite is a common myth about personal insect repellents, which is why it’s important to have a treatment plan after you’ve been bitten.

People often turn to baking soda, oatmeal and other tricks to help get rid of itchy mosquito bites, but removing the irritation-causing mosquito saliva is the most important step. It’s the saliva that causes redness, swelling and major cases of itchy scratches.

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The Bug Bite Thing Product Features

The Bug Bite Thing is small enough to fit in your pocket or bag and requires no charging or electricity. It relies on suction to remove irritants like mosquito saliva from bug bites, thus helping the body naturally recover and reduce inflammation faster.

Pros

  • Easy to use
  • Pocket-sized
  • Reusable
  • Inexpensive
  • Doesn’t require charging or batteries
  • Chemical-free
  • Safe for sensitive skin
  • Safe for kids
  • Comes in three colors

Cons

  • Temporarily leaves skin redder, but this fades in minutes
  • The red bumps may not resolve as quickly as the itching, a small price to pay for irritation-free skin

How We Tested It

side by side steps using the bug bite thing on a child's legBryce Gruber for Family Handyman

Shortly after the Bug Bite Thing arrived, my nine-year-old daughter headed off to her school’s field day. As expected, she came home covered in bumps. We immediately deployed the little white suction device.

The instructions were simple and straightforward: Position the device over the center of the bug bite and pull the grips upward to apply suction. Then, we waited a handful of seconds before releasing the suction.

The first mosquito bite on my daughter’s leg oozed a drop or two of liquid we assumed to be mosquito saliva. The other bite didn’t secrete any noticeable fluid. Both bites became temporarily redder, but within minutes my daughter stopped complaining about them. The device appeared to alleviate the symptoms.

It still took two or three days for the bites to fully clear up, but the irritation seemed to dissipate within minutes. That was good enough for us.

In the past, my daughter lost sleep over itchy bug bites, scratching them to the point little scabs formed. The Bug Bite thing genuinely solved that problem.

FAQ

Does the Bug Bite Thing hurt to use?

No! You will feel strong suction, but it shouldn’t hurt. It’s only meant to be used for 10 to 20 seconds at a time.

Can the Bug Bite Thing be used on spider bites?

Yes! According to the Bug Bite Thing company, the device works well on spider bites, but should not be used for Brown Recluse or Black Widow bites. It also works on bites from ants, bees, wasps, black flies, fleas and any other insect. The key is to use it as fast as possible after a bite occurs.

Does the Bug Bite Thing leave a bruise or mark?

Typically, no. Redness and indentations are common for a few minutes but quickly dissipate. Those with sensitive skin may experience slightly more irritation, but it should pass.

What Other Reviewers Had To Say

Rebekah Lee Hunter gives it five stars on Amazon saying, “My outdoor time has been very limited as I get older, because mosquitoes are drawn to me and I dreaded being itchy and uncomfortable even for a short time. It sounds silly, but now I know I have what is basically a ‘Ctrl+Z’ for mosquito bites. Sometimes it does take two sucks, but the relief is nearly instant and lasts a long time. For larger bites, it may eventually itch again, but you can always redo.”

Verified purchaser James Arce writes, “I got bit about 7 times while I was outside. I used the syringe within an hour of getting bit and it worked so well!! It’s been about 2 hours now and they’re practically gone. No itch. No red marks. I used it twice on each mosquito bite for about 15 seconds each time. I love this product!!”

Cindy Alvarado found this after their last bee sting landed them in the ER. “I had to use my Epi pen on the way to the hospital because my reaction to the sting was immediate. This time I used this to suction the venom and it worked great, the swelling was greatly reduced and I just took benadryl. I had my Epi pen ready to use if needed and will always have it, but not having the severe swelling was just awesome, and so I will definitely use this device as PART of my emergency response,” they write.

Final Verdict

I love the Bug Bite Thing’s portability and effectiveness without relying on potentially-irritating chemicals. Its affordable price means I can keep one in my bag, my car and home. The suction device is also safe for those with sensitive skin.

Although the packaging says it works well on other types of bug bites, we’re grateful we didn’t have to put that to the test.

While the Bug Bite Thing is no replacement for insect repellents and hacks that keep mosquitoes away, it certainly is a remarkable addition to any first aid kit, backpack and camp bag. I’m such a fan, I think these should be required packing gear for overnight camps.

Where to Buy the Bug Bite Thing

Fhm Ecomm Bug Bite Thing Via Amazon.comvia merchant

You can buy the Bug Bite Thing on Amazon and at Walmart and Target, where it retails for about $10. Order yours ahead of the summer rush before your next camping trip!

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