Fighting Against Pest-ilent Problems Fuels Business for Outdoor Home Services Brands

Mosquitos. Yes, their appearance is goosebump-inducing, but they also have the power to transmit some of the most dangerous diseases around. Not only can they carry malaria and West Nile virus, but they delight in lugging around the Zika virus, dengue, chikungunya and yellow fever, as well. No thanks.

2019 has seen a worrying reappearance of a particularly nasty strain of arbovirus: Eastern Equine encephalitis. The virus causes flu-like symptoms, and in severe cases, seizures. Eastern Equine encephalitis was not made a notifiable disease, or one that was required to be reported to the CDC, until the early 1960s; the CDC has since reported that it has been more than 50 years since such an abundance of EEE cases were reported. This surge is unusual, since there are typically less than 10 cases reported annually, and death-inducing cases reached a high of 30% in the past. Monica Bharel, the Massachusetts Public Health Commissioner, emphasized the need for stricter mosquito bite protection, and people in affected areas like Michigan and Massachusetts are encouraged to use insect repellant and avoid the outdoors. 

Enter mosquito control, a relatively young service offering in the outdoor home services space.

Perhaps the most well-known of these niche service businesses is Mosquito Joe, a franchise that specializes in mosquito, flea, and tick protection. What began in 2010 in Virginia has blossomed into a franchise chain that boasts 285 locations in the United States. In less than 10 years, Mosquito Joe has more than doubled its locations. 

Mosquito Joe is passionate about pest-control—-so much so, that the brand collaborated with Nothing But Nets, a campaign to fight against malaria—and participated in Mosquito Control Week from June 23 to June 29 to build awareness. The brand pledged to donate $10 for every new customer, and partnered with local blood drives to support against the spread of blood diseases. 

Boyd Huneycutt, the founder of another outdoor home services brand, Mosquito Squad, recognized that people want to feel comfortable outside. He founded the franchise in 2005 on the premise that because of weather and public health, such services are are more of a necessity instead of a convenience. Mosquito Squad currently boasts 241 locations, more than 16 times the amount it had in 2009. Other pest control brands have also seen a meteoric rise in necessity in recent years: Mosquito Hunters*, and Mosquito Shield have 53 and 46 franchises, respectively.

Mosquito-borne illnesses are becoming a coast-to-coast issue, and both the demand and need for mosquito control services are prevalent in all areas, said Ronald Ens, Franchise Development Manager for Mosquito Hunters. Not only do these mosquito prevention brands want to protect the general health of their customers, but for everyone to find enjoyment in the outdoors after taking necessary precautions against these diseases.