Mosquito Squad Plus

When&nbsp;<a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/elisabet-laferriere-8a0a5551/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=laferriere-multi-generation-family-mosquito-squad-franchise-2731265" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Elisabet Laferriere</a> started working with her parents Gail and&nbsp;<a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/arthur-rodrigues-66537299/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=laferriere-multi-generation-family-mosquito-squad-franchise-2731265" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Arthur Rodrigues</a> at their&nbsp;<a href="https://mosquitosquadfranchise.com/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=laferriere-multi-generation-family-mosquito-squad-franchise-2731265" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Mosquito Squad</a> franchise in southeastern Massachusetts, she was an hourly seasonal employee answering phones. Fifteen years later, she runs day-to-day operations alongside her husband,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/dave-laferriere-8b143a2b/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=laferriere-multi-generation-family-mosquito-squad-franchise-2731265" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Dave</a>. And they’re beginning to introduce the next generation to the family business.“Right away, I learned that customer service is the foundation of everything. I was salesperson number one, customer service person number one,” Elisabet said. “It was on my shoulders to treat people well and earn their trust.”Neither Elisabet nor Dave had prior experience running a business. Her background was in graphic design and he was an electrician. But franchising helped them figure it out together.“We’ve had to learn every piece of running a business,” Elisabet said. “Thank God for franchising. The team behind us has been fantastic.”“I was lucky because at the beginning, I got to see from the outside: her working the business by herself in our home office,” Dave said. “It’s amazing to think what could be accomplished this way. Without franchising, it would’ve been really tough.”&nbsp;<h2>Stepping Up in Times of Challenge</h2>Elisabet’s journey from seasonal employee to franchise co-owner was shaped by challenges she was forced to weather early in the partnership. Within the first few years, Arthur, who handled fieldwork and hiring, suffered a traumatic brain injury after a fall. “I had to continue running the office, making sales and doing customer service while also stepping into his role,” Elisabet said. Gradually, she began dispatching technicians, mixing chemicals, prepping trucks, hiring staff, managing marketing and overseeing general operations.Working closely with her parents provided Elisabet with what would become a valuable crash course in management and financial oversight.&nbsp;“I observed how my dad managed a crew. I also learned by watching what not to do,” she said. “My mom taught me a lot too. She was a banker and handled our bookkeeping and budgeting. Math isn’t my strong suit, so learning QuickBooks, budgeting and cash flow was critical. I would’ve floundered without their guidance.”<h2>A New Generation Joins the Team</h2>Dave worked as a career electrician in the Boston area. Entering the&nbsp;<a href="https://1851franchise.com/mosquito-squad/info">Mosquito Squad</a> fold in 2022, his arrival brought new energy to the business, immediately impacting the broader culture of the family’s entrepreneurial efforts. “We joked about me coming to work here. But, eventually, it became evident there was actually a place for me,” Dave said. “I’m mechanical and good with people. And I’ve been a foreman, so managing teams and culture comes naturally.”Elisabet agrees: “Dave turned the culture of our business around,” she said. “When he came in, he made technicians feel appreciated. And that’s been huge.”In 2023, the Laferrieres bought out Elisabet’s parents, taking full ownership of the business. That same year, their oldest son, Elijah, joined part time over the summer.&nbsp;“It's a good experience to learn work expectations while we build good humans,” Elisabet said.“Our oldest got a paycheck for part-time work,” Dave added. “We’re proud of that.”<h2>Further Building a Family Legacy</h2>The Laferrieres’ franchising journey didn’t stop with Mosquito Squad. In 2024, the family added&nbsp;<a href="https://lawnsquadfranchise.com/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=laferriere-multi-generation-family-mosquito-squad-franchise-2731265" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Lawn Squad</a> to their franchise portfolio. Leveraging their experience, the Laferrieres have grown their partnership alongside the parent company&nbsp;<a href="https://www.authoritybrands.com/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=laferriere-multi-generation-family-mosquito-squad-franchise-2731265" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Authority Brands</a>, building synergies with the new&nbsp;<a href="https://1851franchise.com/lawn-squad/info">Lawn Squad</a> addition.“When I came in, it helped us free Elisabet up to concentrate on the office side more and for me to learn a whole other business,” Dave said. “The techs are similar. They need a little more know-how on the Lawn Squad side. But it's the same business model. It's house to house. And we're using the same software for the most part. It's just a route-based business. So, it’s been great.” &nbsp; 2026 will also see further growth on The Mosquito Squad side of the couple’s business, as the Laferrieres continue their adoption of the brand’s evolution as Mosquito Squad Plus, offering an even greater array of pest control services in the new year.“We did sort of like a soft launch on a lot of those new services. But we’re full tilt in 2026. So, there's a lot more that we can do for our customers!” Elisabet said. “They've got other problems besides mosquitoes and ticks and now we can solve those.”The expansion reflects the couple’s continued commitment to both growth and service. Despite the challenges of running a family business, the Laferrieres have found a rhythm working together.&nbsp;“I love working with my wife. She’s fantastic,” Dave said. “We’re a great team and can conquer any business together.”&nbsp;<h2>Building a Legacy That Lasts</h2>Elisabet started as a seasonal worker alongside her parents and learned every part of the Mosquito Squad business. Today, she and Dave operate two Mosquito Squad units and three Lawn Squad locations in Massachusetts, bringing their children into the business as they grow.“It’s nice to offer opportunities to the next generation,” Dave said. “We don’t know if this is the path they’ll choose, so we ease them in.”“We didn’t have this plan 15 years ago,” Elisabet said. “My parents started the business as a retirement plan. Dad didn’t want to grow it big. He was happy when revenue and staffing were manageable. But, as I got better at running the business, and it grew, I realized the potential for my boys. We want to pass it down.”With Elijah now entering the family business, Elisabet and Dave continue to build a franchising legacy they can bequeath, turning a story of resilience and growth into both a retirement plan and a family franchising legacy.About Mosquito Squad Plus: Mosquito Squad® Plus' mission is to be the premier outdoor pest control company in the industry by providing state-of-the-art products and services through its best-in-class technicians and sales teams while bringing awareness to the importance of pest management to help control diseases transmitted by pests. For more information, visit&nbsp;<a href="http://www.mosquitosquad.com/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=laferriere-multi-generation-family-mosquito-squad-franchise-2731265" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">www.mosquitosquad.com</a> and&nbsp;<a href="http://www.authoritybrands.com/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=laferriere-multi-generation-family-mosquito-squad-franchise-2731265" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">www.authoritybrands.com</a>.About Lawn SquadLawn Squad franchising, developed from the Weed Pro brand name and system, is part of Authority Brand’s home service portfolio. Originally founded in 2001 by Rob Palmer in Ohio as Weed Pro, Lawn Squad provides expert services including fertilization, weed control, aeration, seeding, and pest management, all supported by a strong recurring revenue model. With comprehensive training, operational support, and a focus on delivering high-quality, science-based lawn treatments, Lawn Squad empowers franchise owners to enhance local landscapes while growing scalable, community-focused businesses. For more information, visit https://lawnsquadfranchise.com/About Authority Brands:Headquartered in Columbia, Maryland, Authority Brands' companies include 14 leading home service franchise brands: America's Swimming Pool Co. Company, Benjamin Franklin Plumbing, The Cleaning Authority, DoodyCalls, DRYmedic Restoration Services, Homewatch CareGivers, The Junkluggers, Lawn Squad, Mister Sparky, Monster Tree Service, Mosquito Squad, One Hour Heating &amp; Air Conditioning, Screenmobile, and Woofie's. Together, these brands provide home services through more than 2,700 territories operated by more than 1,000 franchise owners. Authority Brands is dedicated to supporting individual franchise owner growth by providing strong marketing, technology, and operational support. See&nbsp;<a href="http://authoritybrands.com/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=laferriere-multi-generation-family-mosquito-squad-franchise-2731265" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">authoritybrands.com</a> for more information.&nbsp;

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Three Generations, One Franchise: The Laferriere Family’s Mosquito Squad Journey

1851 Franchise

Elisabet Laferriere began working with her father 15 years ago. Now, she and husband Dave own a multi-brand Authority Brands franchise and have brought their son Elijah into the family business.

This brand page has been paid for by MOSQUITO SQUAD PLUS. Content within this page that is paid will showcase a Sponsored icon. This means the brand has engaged 1851 FRANCHISE to write the content. Content without the Sponsored Icon is aggregated media placements the brand earned. Questions can be sent to editorial@1851franchise.com

Three Generations, Two Franchises: The Laferriere Family’s Mosquito Squad Plus, Lawn Squad Journey

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Running a business with your spouse brings a mix of opportunity and pressure. Success is shared, setbacks feel personal, and work can easily follow you home. For Emily and Dean Ives, that reality has shaped both their relationship and their approach to running the business.These high school sweethearts now own eight Mosquito Squad Plus territories, following an acquisition of four additional territories in January, and they service most of Virginia and some of North Carolina. Their experience reflects how couples with complementary strengths can build a business together when roles are clear and expectations are aligned.“The biggest reward is the ability to build something together,” Dean said. “Not just as business partners, but as a married couple, as a team.”Emily says working side by side has required flexibility as the business continues to grow. “It’s challenging, but it’s equally as rewarding,” she said.<h2>From First Territory to Full Partnership</h2>Dean entered franchising early, purchasing his first&nbsp;<a href="https://1851franchise.com/mosquito-squad/info">Mosquito Squad Plus</a> territory with his mother when he was just 18 years old. Emily was not involved at the time and had no plans to become a business owner.As the business expanded, Dean reached a point where he needed operational support. Emily, who was working a corporate job at the time, recognized that the skills he needed aligned closely with her own experience.“I just knew Dean needed a manager, and I was really good at managing,” Emily said.She stepped into the business, and their partnership shifted from informal support to shared ownership and responsibility.<h2>Opposites that Strengthen the Business</h2>Emily and Dean describe themselves as opposites, a dynamic that has become one of their biggest advantages. Dean focuses on ideas and growth, while Emily brings structure, process and execution.“He’s the idea guy, the entrepreneur,” Emily said. “I’m very Type A. I’m the process person that brings the vision to life.”As the business grew, Emily moved from managing everything herself to delegating and building systems that could support scale. Dean became more involved in key areas as new growth required greater collaboration.Their ability to adapt their roles has helped the business evolve without creating unnecessary friction.<h2>The Rewards and the Realities of Working Together</h2>For Dean, the most meaningful part of owning a business together is the shared sense of purpose. “I didn’t get married to not see my wife,” he said. “The ability to do this together, lockstep along the way, has been the most rewarding part.”Emily acknowledges that this same closeness can also be challenging, especially as responsibilities increase. “Our relationship and our roles are always changing,” she said. “You have to grow with the business.”They credit their long-standing friendship for helping them navigate those changes. Before becoming business partners, they were best friends, a foundation that has helped their relationship withstand the pressures of shared ownership.<h2>Leveraging the Mosquito Squad Plus Franchise System</h2>Emily says the franchise model has been critical to their success, particularly as someone who came from a corporate background. “That’s why you join a franchise,” she said. “You’re not trying to reinvent the wheel.”Emily has taken an active role within the system, serving on the franchise advisory council and participating in the Mosquito Squad Association of Franchises. She views corporate support as a tool that franchisees should actively use rather than overlook.Dean says that what sets Mosquito Squad Plus apart is the people behind the system. “You’re often talking to another business owner who has laced up the same shoes,” he said. “They come home with the same problems and have workshopped innovative solutions.”<h2>Advice for Couples Considering Franchising Together</h2>Despite the challenges, Dean encourages couples to pursue business ownership together. “There’s no better time to start than now,” he said.Emily offers a more measured perspective, shaped by the risks they took early on. “Try to come up with a plan,” she said. “Talk through the business model and where each of you fits.”Both emphasize the importance of defining roles, setting boundaries and remembering that the business exists to serve the family, not replace it. “You’ll laugh, you’ll cry, and then you’ll laugh again,” Dean said. “But do it together.”For more information, visit:&nbsp;<a href="https://1851franchise.com/mosquito-squad">https://1851franchise.com/mosquito-squad</a>.

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For husband-and-wife franchise owners Emily and Dean Ives, Mosquito Squad Plus provides the structure and support needed to build a home services business as a true partnership.

High School Sweethearts Grow a Business Together With Mosquito Squad Plus

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How This Marine Corps Veteran Found Freedom and Purpose With Mosquito Squad

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For years, the mosquito control industry followed a predictable, seasonal rhythm. Franchisees would ramp up operations as the weather warmed, battle the backyard bugs through summer and then go largely dormant once the first frost hit. But, for&nbsp;<a href="https://mosquitosquadfranchise.com/">Mosquito Squad Plus</a>, the transition from a seasonal specialist to a comprehensive pest control powerhouse is redefining what it means to be a sustainable business in today’s economy.&nbsp;The pest control market doesn’t just disappear when the leaves fall. In shifting its focus from the perimeter of the yard to the entirety of the home, the brand is further positioning franchisees to scale and succeed year-round. This shift isn’t just a new name or refreshed messaging, it’s a move to turn a seasonal service into a 12-month business, giving franchisees steadier revenue opportunities and a model built on the everyday demand for pest control.<h2>The Shift from Seasonal to Essential</h2>The traditional mosquito control model, while highly effective, leaves a gap in the calendar that many entrepreneurs find challenging. But&nbsp;<a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/jminturn/">Josh Minturn</a>, Vice President of Franchise Development for parent company&nbsp;<a href="https://www.authoritybrands.com/">Authority Brands</a>, explains that while the brand was originally designed to target mosquitoes, ticks and outdoor pests, the growing saturation of the marketplace (and the seasonal nature of those pests) simply required a more all-encompassing approach."The reality is that there is a year-round need for pest control," Minturn said. "In doing the research, we found that we could potentially increase the average revenue of our franchisees on a per-sale basis. So, if a franchisee was selling to a customer for eight, nine or ten months out of the year, you can now convert that customer to virtually year-round. And that’s possible in almost every state."This additional service targets pests that move indoors as temperatures drop (nuisances like Japanese beetles or rodents). By addressing the pests that seek shelter in a garage or basement during the colder winter months, franchise owners can maintain a consistent dialogue with their customers regardless of the weather forecast.<h2>Resilience in Any Economy</h2>The pest control industry has long been cited as a recession-resistant sector. While many consumer services are viewed as optional luxuries, pest management tends to fall into the necessity category.While a homeowner might choose to avoid their backyard for a few weeks to save money during a financial downturn, they’re far less likely to ignore a potential health hazard inside their living space."Pest control in general is viewed as recession-resistant. That’s one of the big reasons we went in this direction: to lean further into that resistance versus the more elective part of the business," Minturn said. "If you have mice, roaches or other pests running around your home, that’s a health concern. And people take care of that year-round. That’s created a very stable type of business."To further stabilize the business model,&nbsp;<a href="https://1851franchise.com/mosquito-squad/info">Mosquito Squad Plus</a> has pivoted toward a subscription-based revenue stream. Instead of an opt-in model where a customer has to be sold on every individual treatment, the subscription service creates a monthly billing cycle that’s simply more predictable. That sort of recurring revenue can provide franchisees with the cash flow certainty needed to scale operations while further investing in strong teams.<h2>Scientific Credibility and Franchisee Support</h2>Transitioning from outdoor mosquito misting to full-service pest control requires a higher level of expertise. Mosquito Squad Plus leverages its history as a pioneer in the space (utilizing on-staff entomologists and holding patents on various products, including all-natural solutions).New owners are supported by a training facility in Macon, Georgia, and a network of regional business coaches. It’s the type of infrastructure that allows franchisees to position themselves as experts rather than just providers of a single service."Our franchisees are very well educated. And that education is part of the magic in selling the service," Minturn said. "We don’t have to be the low-cost leader. We can educate the buyer and show them how we’ll be effective in their yard or home. That helps us close the sale while charging the right amount so franchisees remain profitable."<h2>Scaling for the Future</h2>Recent influxes in locations like&nbsp;<a href="https://abcnews.go.com/US/invasive-species-disease-carrying-mosquito-continues-spread-northern/story">California</a> and&nbsp;<a href="https://entomologytoday.org/2025/10/08/yellow-fever-mosquito-aedes-aegypti-las-vegas/">Las Vegas</a> prove that pests like mosquitoes are migrating to new regions. As a result, the demand for professional intervention continues to climb. And by offering a comprehensive suite of services, Mosquito Squad Plus franchise owners are able to enter these markets with greater value proposition.The brand also incentivizes growth through its territory structure and financial on-ramps. Franchisees are typically granted territories roughly three times the size of those offered by competitors. The brand even provides a royalty holiday for the first 12 months of operation. This allows new owners to focus entirely on customer acquisition and quality of service during the critical first year of franchise operation.From backyard misting systems to advanced natural applications, the goal remains the same: building a business that stays relevant every day of the year. Further innovation helps, too."By adding general pest control to our franchises’ repertoire, we’ve opened the door to potential revenue we simply couldn’t capture before," Minturn said. "It’s hard to quantify exactly how big that opportunity is. We’re excited to tap into that marketplace."To learn more about franchising with Mosquito Squad, visit:&nbsp;<a href="https://1851franchise.com/mosquito-squad">https://1851franchise.com/mosquito-squad</a>.

Mosquito Squad Plus recession resistant franchise

By diversifying into full-service pest control, Mosquito Squad Plus offers franchisees a stable model that offers consistent, year-round revenue far beyond the summer season.

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Three Generations, Two Franchises: The Laferriere Family’s Mosquito Squad Plus, Lawn Squad Journey

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