How Patio Patrol is Aiming to be a Leading Brand in Outdoor Pest Control

As homeowners reorient themselves to a new landscape of remote work, virtual learning and dramatically more time spent at home, outdoor spaces have become all the more valuable. One brand particularly well-positioned to take advantage of that shift is Patio Patrol, the eight-unit outdoor pest control franchise backed by multi-brand home-services franchisor Threshold Brands. Previously known as FlyFoe — Patio Patrol launched its franchise opportunity in 2018, and the brand is already emerging as a leader in the booming home-services segment thanks to a range of critical differentiators, including comprehensive treatment options and a mission to provide our customers with full-circle coverage so they can enjoy their yard to the fullest.

“Ticks and mosquitos are a perennial frustration for anyone who wants to enjoy their outdoor space in the warmer months, so there has always been a great need for these services,” said Kieran Scott, Patio Patrol President. “But during and after the pandemic, we’ve seen demand spike dramatically.”

Scott says Patio Patrol stands out in the outdoor pest control market by providing customized treatment plans that account for entire ecosystems, making those treatments far more effective than traditional treatments, which target just a single infestation source.

“Most pest control brands promise to get to the root of a given pest problem, but what they don’t account for are the underlying conditions that allow that root to emerge and grow,” Scott said. “Our competitors may find the source of a mosquito infestation and eliminate it, but they aren’t going to create a customized plan for your outdoor space to ensure mosquitos don’t return. We will. A client might have a yard that collects a lot of leaves or has features that collect water, both of which can attract mosquitos. Or they might have a stack of firewood that attracts ticks. We’ll look at these conditions and create a plan to ensure pests don’t return.”

While traditional treatments target adult ticks and mosquitos, Scott says Patio Patrol’s technicians use special products to target eggs, larva and pupa, as well as adults to ensure long-lasting results. The treatment strategy may also include a multi-layered approach, incorporating a perimeter spray, inner yard and shrubbery spray, home foundation spray and larvicide application, each designed specifically to kill pests and prevent reinfestation.

“The effect of traditional treatments lasts about as long as the chemicals last, and then the pests come back,” said Scott. “But by taking a much more targeted approach and applying specialized treatments to each area of the outdoor space, we can produce far more effective and longer-lasting results.

Patio Patrol’s effectiveness against pests is just one of the reasons the brand has earned rave reviews and exponentially growing customer referrals. The brand has emerged as a go-to name in pest control thanks mainly to its focus on customer service, which Scott says sets it apart from competitors in the space.

“Most pest control services give you a large window of time when they’ll show up, then you wait patiently for them, and when they arrive, they set out into your lawn and start spraying without letting you know what they are doing,” he said. “It’s a terrible experience for the customer, but it’s considered standard in the industry. So when our technicians tell customers exactly when they are going to arrive, show up at exactly that time and then work closely with the customer to lay out a treatment plan that they understand, it's a world of difference. That gets our customers referring Patio Patrol to their friends and neighbors.”

Patio Patrol’s focus on customer service is aided by its parent franchisor, Threshold Brands, whose dedicated call center — one of many resources unavailable to independent businesses of Patio Patrol’s size — ensures that every customer issue is immediately routed to the owner, technician or expert best equipped to resolve that issue.

“Threshold Brands is really the perfect partner for Patio Patrol because we all believe that customer service is critical to our success and direly lacking in the home-services industry,” Scott said. “Homeowners are conditioned to expect dismal customer service, so when we show up on time, walk them through the process and genuinely build relationships with them, they are blown away.”

As Patio Patrol’s customer base expands, the franchise is preparing to take advantage of growth opportunities in markets across the country, starting with Dallas, Houston, Atlanta, Charlotte and other markets throughout the Southeast, where Patio Patrol is actively seeking candidates for franchise ownership.

“The demand is growing rapidly,” Scott said. “We have the products and services to dominate this segment. Now it’s just a matter of finding the right franchise partners in each market.”

Patio Patrol is currently seeking qualified franchise owners. Startup costs to open a Patio Patrol range from $74,545 - $169,545, including a $20,000 - $35,000 franchise fee depending on the market size. To learn more, visit franchise.patiopatrol.com.