Announcing the New DC Mosquito Squad Website!

I am happy to announce that the new DC Mosquito Squad website is finally up and running.  It will have many new features that will  taylor it to our local market here in the DC area.  The new url is www.dcmosquitosquad.com some new features included in the new website are the incorporation of youtube videos, links to local review sites and a streamlined renewal process with our new shopping cart.  The site has been a work in progress since August of last year and we are finally getting to the point where it will be ready for the 2012 season.  So if you have not already done so, check out the new site, let me know what you think and if you see any room for improvement let me know, obviously our mosquito control content will be continuously updated but my hope is to keep making it better and more relevent for our customers and the public in general.

I have not posted about this for a while but in case you’re wondering what areas the DC Mosquito Squad franchise services here they are:  In Maryland we service, Bethesda, Chevy Chase, Silver Spring, Cabin John and Potomac, we are basically inside the beltway and on the southwest side of the 270.  Dont worry if you’re not inside that territory because we have franchises all over Maryland.  In Virginia we service Alexandria, Arlington, North Springfield, Annandale and Mclain or to put it another way we service inside the beltway (495).  In DC we service the whole city.

So if you live inside our territory give us a call and check out the new website if you don’t, you can still check out the new website and we will be happy to put you in touch with the proper franchise that serves your city.

While I’m in the business of announcements, I would like to officially announce that we moved last year to our new location in Sterling Virgina from our old location in Fairfax.  So if you need to mail anything the new address for the business is 201 Davis Dr. Suite DD Sterling Va 20164.

MIST Conference

As I was reading PCTonline.com, I noticed that two legends of Mosquito Squad will be speakers at the upcoming MIST conference, Russ Jundt and Tom Olson owner of Mosquito Squad of Minnesota.  Two great guys so for anyone interested in attending I have listed all the information below curtusy of PCTonline.com.

M.I.S.T. Conference Offers a Roadmap to PCO Profits

Industry Events Houston and Atlanta to play host to third annual Misting Insecticides Solutions & Technology seminars.

             |             January 9, 2012 |

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PCOs eager to break into the mosquito control market or to expand their footprint in this rapidly expanding field should mark their calendar for the 3rd Annual MGK M.I.S.T. Conference, scheduled for Feb. 7 in Houston, Texas, and Feb. 21 in Atlanta, Ga.

Sponsored by MGK, a leading supplier of insect control solutions, the M.I.S.T. Conference – Misting Insecticides Solutions & Technology – boasts an extensive array of educational sessions, as well as a product showcase featuring vendors serving the mosquito market, providing attendees with an opportunity to learn about the latest technology advancements.  “The M.I.S.T. Conference is designed to be the industry’s one-stop location for all the latest news and technology advancements in the mosquito market,” says MGK Misting Market Manager Monika Morris. “It’s a way for PMPs to learn about state-of-the-art treatment techniques as well as the science of mosquito control, while sharing real-world experiences from the field with one another.”
The one-day conference, which MGK launched in 2010, has continued to grow in attendance and scope providing businesses critical sales and marketing tools they need to establish and grow their business. The conference is geared towards distributors, equipment manufacturers, misting company owners, pest control operators and key players involved in the market. Breakout sessions and speakers include: •    The Art of Selling: Closing the Deal — Russ Jundt and Tom Olson, Mosquito Squad of Minnesota. From traditional barrier spray programs and automatic misting systems to special event services, Mosquito Squad of Minnesota has a proven track record of success. Jundt and Olson will share some of the secrets to their success. •    Equipment Overview and Installation Tips – Steve Elkins and Tom Burgess, Coastal Mosquito Control. Learn the “tricks of the trade” for properly placing, installing and maintaining mosquito misting equipment from Steve Elkins and Tom Burgess, Sales Managers for Coastal Mosquito Control. •    NPDES Permit Update – Charles Maguire, Texas Commission on Environmental Quality, Water Quality Division. Maguire will update attendees on the finer points of the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) to ensure that applicators are in compliance with this important provision of the Clean Water Act •    Mosquito Education – Mike Mclean, Metropolitan Mosquito Control District. Learn about the breeding and feeding habits of mosquitoes, disease transmission and site eradication. •    Social Media for Small Business – Pat Furey, Consumer Sphere. Furey, a respected technology executive who has worked with such well-known brands as General Mills, Procter & Gamble, Yum and White Castle, shares his strategies for helping your pest control business effectively engage customers via the rapidly changing world of social media

The cost of the one-day seminar is $30 per person, which includes a continental breakfast, lunch and closing networking reception.

“If you’re involved either directly or indirectly in the mosquito market, the M.I.S.T. Conference is a cost-effective way to learn about key trends and new technology in this rapidly expanding field,” Morris added. For more information about the conference, registration or to reserve a tabletop, visit www.mistconference.com, e-mail conference@gie.net or call 800.456.0707.
Dates/Locations Houston February 7, 2012 Marriott Houston West Loop by the Galleria 1750 West Loop South Houston, TX 77027
Atlanta February 21, 2012 – Atlanta Atlanta Marriott Century City 2000 Century Boulevard NE Atlanta, GA 30345
To reserve your room at either event, call 800/228-9290 and ask for the M.I.S.T. Conference group rate.

Mosquito Squad Keeps Growing

Well, during the winter months I keep busy here at the DC Mosquito Squad offices by preparing training, upgrading systems and of course doing google searches for Mosquito Squad.  So tonight I came accross this  article in Small Business Trends As always if your interested in purchasing a franchise give me a call a the DC Mosquito Squad office and I would be happy to help.

Mosquito Squad Continues Rapid Expansion With Over A Dozen New Franchise Agreements

Press Release

December 1, 2011

RICHMOND, Va. (Press Release – October 21, 2011) – Outdoor Living Brands’ Mosquito Squad continues its expansion with the signing of more than a dozen new franchise agreements since September 1, 2011, including its first in the north central United States. The announcement was made by Chris Grandpre, chairman and CEO of Outdoor Living Brands, parent company and franchisor of Mosquito Squad.

Mosquito Squad specializes in eliminating mosquitoes and ticks from outdoor living spaces so that Americans can enjoy their yards, business spaces and outdoor events. Recognized as one of the 15h fastest growing franchise concepts in 2011 by INC. Magazine, Mosquito Squad has grown from 15 locations to more than 75. Mosquito Squad also has received accolades as a superior franchise organization by several industry organizations. For the 2012 season, new franchise locations will open in:

• Illinois

• Michigan

• South Dakota

• New Jersey

• Virginia

• Massachusetts

• New Hampshire

Mosquito Squad is a proven concept with strong support from a dedicated operations and marketing team,” Grandpre said. “We expect to start the 2012 season with a significant number of new franchisees in key strategic locations across the country. Our team continues to work toward our of having over 100 locations prior to the start of the 2012 season, which is a fantastic increase over the 17 locations that were part of the business when we acquired it less than three years ago.”

About Mosquito Squad

With more than 70 franchise locations nationwide, Mosquito Squad specializes in eliminating mosquitoes and ticks from outdoor living spaces, allowing Americans to enjoy yards, special events and green spaces. Mosquito Squad, an Outdoor Living Brands company, was certified as a World Class Franchise by the Franchise Research Institute in 2010 and 2011 and was rated one of the Top 50 Franchises by Franchise Business Review, receiving their 2011 and 2010 Franchisee Satisfaction Award. For more information, visit www.MosquitoSquad.com and www.OutdoorLivingBrands.com.

Company:	Mosquito Squad
Company URL:	http://www.mosquitosquad.com/

Mosquito Squad Franchises

By: Damien Sanchez

I was just reading the Business Insider on top franchising trends for 2012 and was pleasantly surprised to see a Mosquito Squad mentioned. If your reading this and have been thinking of starting a business, Mosquito Squad might be a very good fit. It’s an exciting opportunity for anyone willing to work hard, learn and be their own boss. Earlier this month I was told that to date, the largest training class of new franchisees just completed, so locations are selling fast. So congratulations to the guys and gals down in Richmond on their success. Anyhow, if your interested in pursuing a franchise feel free to call my office 571-830-8002 and I would be happy to answer some questions and put you in touch with the franchise.

Mosquito Prevention and Abatement Amendment Act of 2011

By: Damien Sanchez

For all our DC customers, Council Woman  Muriel Bowser of Ward 4 proposed legislation last month “To amend the Vector-Borne Infectious Diseases Control Act of 2004 to require that the Mayor create a ward-based mosquito abatement plan to prevent and abate the infestation of mosquitoes in the District of Columbia.  (dccouncil.washington.dc.us)”  We here at Mosquito Squad are always excited to proactive legislation to deal with the nuisance and vector problem associated with mosquitoes.  So we will definetly be following this legislation as it moves through the city counsel and thank you to Council Woman Bowser for being proactive in representing the citizens of her ward.

 

DS

Introduction of Genetically Engineered Mosquitoes to South Florida

By: Damien Sanchez

A Mosquito control District in South Florida is set to release 5000 to 10000 male Aedes aegypti mosquitoes, also known as yellow fever mosquitoes. The mosquitoes are being supplied by the British company Oxitec specializing in controlling insects that cause disease and damage crops. The plan is to release genetically engineered male mosquitoes into the local Andes aegypti population causing future offspring to die before maturing into adults and becoming yellow fever vectors.
Potentially this could save taxpayers hundreds of thousands of dollars a year depending on how successful the operation is. According to the New York Times, there have been a few prior releases over the past couple of years that were reported as a success, in Malaysia Brazil and the Cayman Islands. Now there is controversy over the release of genetically engineered organisms into the environment, espessialy with little public input or warning.
Although these test will be open air please note Andes aegypti are not naturally occurring in this part of the world, they are native to Africa and only arrived to the new world during the period of colonization, they are therefore an invasive specie of serious public health concern and need to be dealt with. But even so, as this technology improves and it’s use increases, concern is justified.

Having spent the last few hours reading about Genetically Engineered mosquitoes it seems on the surface to be a safe trial in that they are designed to die quickly cannot reproduce past one generation. The same argument for their use can be made with a number of other creatures and plants that may have a greater potential impact on the environment due to unintended consequences so monitoring is essential. I will be following the news on the release and have a follow up post later in the summer on the results.

DS

Angie’s List Super Service Award Winner!

Mosquito Squad of Greater Washington, D.C. Earns Coveted Angie’s List Super Service Award

Award reflects businesses’ consistently high level of customer service

Mosquito Squad of Greater Washington, D.C. has been awarded the prestigious 2011 Angie’s List Super Service Award, an honor bestowed annually on approximately 5 percent of all the businesses rated on the nation’s leading provider of consumer reviews on local service and health providers.

“I’m very happy that our customers have gone out of their way to give honest feedback and that we are doing so well in their eyes,” said Mosquito Squad owner, Damien Sanchez. “Of course, it couldn’t have been done without our employees delivering excellent service, so I am grateful to my hardworking staff also.”

“Only a fraction of the businesses rated on Angie’s List can claim the sterling service record of being a Super Service Award winner because we set a high bar,” said Angie’s List Founder Angie Hicks. “The fact that Mosquito Squad of Greater Washington, D.C. can claim Super Service Award status speaks volumes about its dedication to consumers.”

Angie’s List Super Service Award winners have met strict eligibility requirements including earning a minimum number of reports, an exemplary rating from their clients and abiding by Angie’s List operational guidelines.

Ratings are updated daily on Angie’s List, but members can find the 2011 Super Service Award logo next to business names in search results on AngiesList.com.

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Angie’s List collects consumer reviews on local contractors and doctors in more than 500 service categories. Currently, more than 2 million consumers across the U.S. rely on Angie’s List to help them make the best hiring decisions. Members get unlimited access to local ratings via Internet or phone, exclusive discounts, the Angie’s List magazine and help from the Angie’s List complaint resolution service. Take a quick tour of Angie’s List and view the latest Angie’s List news.

Legend of Dread Skeeter

By: Daniel Cobb

With a knock at the door, he left a filled out slip;
The clients wanted to give more, but he turned down the tip.
Once the windows were shut and the empty streets clear,
He holstered his backpack and then took on the rear.

He sprayed the backyard garden with his gas-powered wand,
But was careful to avoid the fish pond.
He took out a whip and knocked insects out of the air,
Then stomped on another with his leather boot landing there.

The back gate opened – a motorcycle popped out!
Those bright headlights filled determined bloodsuckers with doubt.
With a couple cans of hairspray and a restaurant match from yesterday,
His backpack nozzle torched them so he went right on his way.

Flying off a ramp, Dread Skeeter landed in his truck,
Mosquitoes tapped the windshield, but they had run clear out of luck!
Because he shocked them with a cattle prod mounted onto his hood,
He got them all at once and boy did it feel good.

As he pulled back out of the driveway, the bugs fell one by one;
Then he headed toward the highway with those rascals on the run.
A huge mosquito tried to pick the whole vehicle up, but the tollbooth it couldn’t pay,
So the impact from that crater could be heard from miles away.

When Dread arrived at the town, folks were pinned against the wall;
It seemed like those annoying skeeters were about to eat em all.
He whipped them right out of the air, with time to answer a call,
And when he hung up, the last of them did fall.

He set down his backpack, but when he took off his mask, it
Seemed the fine townsfolk came out and showered him with a fruit basket
From a mile in the distance, you could hear the crowd cheer;
“Things sure will be different now, since you arrived here”.

As the clock hit high noon, they saw he was their hero,
For he had brought the mosquito population down to nearly zero.
The friendly folks threw flowers at his feet,
But he had to get back now that his route-list was complete

As he waved farewell, there was confetti and echoing laughter,
For the neighbors knew they would renew every year thereafter.
Leaving signs and cards, he drove off toward the sun;
He couldn’t help smiling – another job well done.

The Brown Marmorated Stink Bug – What Can YOU Do To Tackle Annoying Stink Bugs?

By: Damien Sanchez & Jennifer Imler

Right now in Maryland, DC and Northern Virginia, The Brown Marmorated Stink Bugs are preparing to take a winter vacation in the cozy warmth of your home. Are you ready to control this smelly nuisance? Worry no more, Mosquito Squad’s “busters” are here to help rid you of this annoying pest!

Currently, stink bugs are nesting in your home by the hundreds, maybe even more. If threatened, the stink bug releases the characteristic foul odor that gives them their name. If you have already seen or smelled one or two, then there are many more of their friends hiding out in your walls and attic.

(Picture and references from Virginia Coopertive Extensions)

Six Things You Can Do To Rid Your Home of Stink Bugs

1. Prevent stink bugs from getting inside your home to overwinter. During the summer, use caulk to seal any cracks around windows, doors, utility access points, chimneys, siding, trim and fascia. Seal attic and foundation vents and weep holes with wire mesh or screening. If the stink bugs have already invaded your home, then do not seal all of the cracks, as this will trap the bugs indoors.

2. Control stink bugs once they get inside by caulking around baseboards, exhaust fans, light fixtures, and trim to prevent stink bugs from accessing interior rooms.

3. Vacuum! If you spot a stink bug, dead or alive, vacuum it up. Do not step on it as they will release their foul odor as a defense mechanism and also upon death..

4. Spot spray plants that are damaged while the stink bugs feed with an appropriate insecticide. The most common time to spot plant damage caused by a hungry stink bug is late July and August.

5. Control stink bugs before they get inside by spot treating with a microencapsulated or wettable powder insecticide around windows, doors, attic vents, and other locations in the early fall and spring. Also, screen and caulk from the inside, especially potential stink bug access areas that are too high to reach safely from outdoors.

6. Call Mosquito Squad for stink bug relief (571) 830-8002!

If stink bugs die inside your walls, attic, or other recesses, other insects, such as carpet beetles, will invade and feed on the dead stink bugs. This is why prevention and control are so important. Please feel free to contact us here at Mosquito Squad if you would like more information or if you would like help in controlling this smelly nuisance!

Mosquito Squad in the News

By: Damien Sanchez

The day before yesterday I received a call from a reporter from Fox 5 news asking if she could video tape us doing some applications for a news story that was airing that night.  Apparently there have been two confirmed cases of West Nile Virus in Maryland this year, one of which was in Montgomery County.  Unfortunately I was working at the station that day and Gary, our operations manager had just wrapped up for the day, and we only had one truck still out when Audrey Barnes called.  So we didn’t get to do the shoot but Susan Levi of the West Montgomery County franchise did, she was able to meet with her and she had a good interview, here is the link Protecting yourself Against Mosquitoes