PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla.— Bug Bite Thing, the leader in providing consumers with chemical-free first aid products, including its popular insect bite relief suction tool and tick remover tweezer tool, is proud to announce its collaboration with Global Lyme Alliance (GLA) in observance of Lyme Disease Awareness Month during the month of May. With over half a million Americans diagnosed with Lyme disease annually, the partnership aims to educate individuals about the most common and fastest growing vector-borne disease in the U.S.
Bug Bite Thing is also excited to welcome renowned tick experts and medical advisors, Dr. Thomas Mather and Dr. Stephen Rich, to enhance its educational initiatives.
Dr. Mather, known as “The TickGuy,” leads the University of Rhode Island’s Center for Vector-Borne Disease and TickEncounter Resource Center. In collaboration with Bug Bite Thing, Dr. Mather’s TickSpotters Program will offer expert guidance on tick identification and treatment options.
Dr. Rich is a Microbiology Professor at the University of Massachusetts at Amherst and Executive Director of the New England Center of Excellence in Vector-Borne Diseases (NEWVEC). NEWVEC was created by a federal research grant from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The mission of NEWVEC is to conduct operational research to determine how to reduce tick and mosquito bites and to train the next generation of public health entomologists.
Bug Bite Thing and GLA will collaborate to educate individuals on how to protect themselves, their families, and pets from Lyme disease and tick-borne illnesses, as well as proper tick removal techniques.
By promoting the #BeTickAWARE™ initiative, Bug Bite Thing and GLA aim to empower communities with knowledge about Lyme disease prevention and tick safety. Additionally, they are introducing the Steps Against Ticks campaign in partnership with Charity Footprints, with a fundraising goal of $25,000. Participants can contribute by walking, running, or jogging towards a future free of tick-related diseases.
Bug Bite Thing Founder & CEO Kelley Higney says, “Enhancing public awareness is crucial in combating Lyme disease. Through our partnerships with GLA, TickEncounter and NEWVEC, we are providing the public with accessible expert advice and resources on Lyme disease and tick-borne illnesses, which will be available on BugBiteThing.com.”
Global Lyme Alliance CEO Laura MacNeill states, “Our collaboration with Bug Bite Thing represents a groundbreaking approach to tick-borne disease prevention. By merging scientific knowledge with innovative solutions, we are committed to raising public awareness and safety against tick-borne illnesses. Together, we are building a proactive defense for community health.”
