Wondering what’s required to open a mosquito control business? Do you need a license to spray for mosquitoes? For business, yes. Here’s how to get a mosquito spraying license to become a mosquito exterminator.
Information on whether you need a license to spray for mosquitoes comes under the initial direction of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Federal law and regulations require any person who applies or supervises the use of restricted use pesticides (RUPs) to be certified as an applicator. Restricted use pesticides are those not available for purchase or use by the general public.
The “restricted use” classification means a product must be used by a certified applicator or someone under the certified applicator’s direct supervision. To open a mosquito spraying business, you’ll need to have a license to spray for mosquitoes, but your employees won’t need a license as long as you’re directly supervising them. However, you may wish to consider licensing your employees to provide you with more versatility in attending to jobs and as a good training option to build a reputable business.
The education of licensing
Commercial pesticide applicators have to show practical knowledge of core pesticide use and safety and at least one specific category of application (there are several categories). For core pesticide use and safety, commercial applicators must show practical knowledge of:
- Pesticide labeling comprehension
- Safety (pesticide hazards, first aid, protective equipment and emergency response)
- Pesticides in the environment
- Pest identification and management
- Pesticide formulations
- Pesticide application equipment and application techniques
- Laws and regulations
Commercial applicators are certified by a state or tribe by passing both a written test and a performance-based test. Applicators must be recertified periodically to maintain certification. This generally requires continuing education courses every 3-5 years.
The EPA offers more information on obtaining a mosquito spraying license.
Starting alone or joining the Mosquito Authority team
When dealing with licenses and government regulations, it can be difficult to keep current when you have to manage those things on your own. Government regulations for federal and state jurisdictions can change, and keeping current with them is an important aspect of your business. This is where Mosquito Authority can be an easier move into entrepreneurship.
When you join the Mosquito Authority franchise, there is a head office team that provides training and support — both in the startup phase of the business and as an ongoing service to franchisees. Our training and support, including licensing, also continues as you add employees to your business as part of our commitment to every Mosquito Authority franchisee. Even if you have no mosquito or pest control background or experience, the franchise team will help train and support you to run this business successfully.
Options to run the business
When you join Mosquito Authority, you join an established business with a full administrative and marketing operation in place, which enables a more expedient launch of your business. With this foundation, you also have options on how to run the business. You can choose to run the business yourself as the sole employee, or you can build your own team that you will manage. You can start part-time or launch a full-time operation.
When you build a business without franchise support, you have to be hands-on and perform all the roles, all the time, until you can establish a sustainable clientele and marketing system. Managing all the operational tasks can be a time-consuming process when you have to do them on your own.
The Mosquito Authority advantage
Mosquito Authority’s full-time development team handles everything from online promotion to the national call center to dispatch software. The franchise confidently promotes a no commitment, no contract and no mosquito guarantee — that’s how strong the services are. This is why the franchise has earned the following rankings in Entrepreneur magazine:
- Ranked No. 290 in the 2022 Franchise 500
- Ranked No. 45 in the 2022 Top Franchises for Less Than $100,000
- Ranked No. 74 in the 2022 Top Home-Based Franchises
In addition, Mosquito Authority offers residual income and an 80% average retention rate for its annual subscription customers! That customer retention level is significant — the International Franchise Professionals Group assesses a net promoter score (NPS), which is what customers think of the service. Mosquito Authority scored 78 — the highest in the industry — when the national average is in the high 20s. For some context, Apple, Costco and Nordstrom rank have an NPS score in the mid to low 70s.
Join Mosquito Authority today
Mosquito Authority is the industry leader in mosquito control. You can join this industry-leading team and get started on being your own boss, having control over your future wealth and quality of life. Our franchise development team can answer your questions, from what to expect during the first year to startup costs and financial qualifications.
