Just over five years ago, Josh Kitchell owned and operated fitness facilities, helping people exercise, build muscle, and stay healthy. Today, Kitchell is helping people in a different way — he’s running a successful pest control company and he’s doing it so well, he’s beginning to franchise his business model.
Twenty-four months before the COVID pandemic took hold, Kitchell sold his fitness center operations and made a career change. He started working for a pest control company in Benton Harbor. He managed operations and helped to grow that business. Kitchell enjoyed the work, and when the owner decided to retire, Kitchell decided to open his own business and thus Mosquito Mob was born.
“From creation to where we are today, it’s all from my head,” said Kitchell, who thinks of his business as a family operation, hence the company name, Mosquito Mob.
“We trademarked the name. The brand is ours. Now it’s time to start spreading that brand across the country, because I really think that we have something that’s special,” said Kitchell.
Kitchell said he wants other people to enjoy the same success he’s seen. Providing the opportunity through franchising to share the business model, the roadmap, the key learnings and ways to improve care for customers is what he hopes will bring additional success.
“It’s more than just spraying people’s yards for mosquitoes and ticks. It’s about purchasing an experience. From the time when you’re talking to customer service to the applicators, it’s an experience,” said Kitchell.
The first franchise has already been sold to an interest in Illinois. That franchise will start operations in 2024. Kitchell said in his model, he has two full-time, year-round employees and eight seasonal workers.
As many businesses have seen challenges dealing with COVID-related supply chain issues and inflation, Kitchell says his business is well-positioned, and his workforce flexes during the on- and off-season.
“I’m a planner, so I want to have at least two seasons ahead of product. Essentially, I have enough product to get me through 2025,” said Kitchell. “As silly as it may sound, we don’t spray for mosquitos in January, but that’s when we have to prepare for the upcoming season. That’s why we keep some of our people all year ’round.”
Earlier this year, Kitchell was recognized during the 2023 SWMI Regional Chamber Awards as a Rising Star for his work with Mosquito Mob Services. One of his core beliefs is helping his team grow, assisting them in obtaining their GEDs and enrolling in college courses.
As for the prospects of seeing the Mosquito Mob brand go beyond Southwest Michigan, Kitchell said of the idea, “It’s pretty exciting. I really think we have something that’s special. I want other people who want to get started in the industry to be able to follow our roadmap and (use) what we’ve learned along the way.”
