Bugging Out, Montville Couple Forms Mosquito Squad

residents Tom and Maryellen Heinemann were annoyed by mosquitoes last year.

So this year, they decided to take action and make a business out of helping others repell them.

The couple launched in April Mosquito Squad of Montville-Franklin Lakes, a franchise business with a territory spanning much of northern New Jersey. The Heinemanns both grew up in Montville and said they felt Mosquito Squad could be particularly beneficial for the area.

"New Jersey is No. 12 for Lyme Disease cases in the U.S.," Tom Heinemann said.

Heinemann, who recently sold a plumbing and heating company he started in Montville, was looking for a part-time endeavor and in speaking to his business broker, stumbled upon the opportunity to launch a local Mosquito Squad. Mosquito Squad is a national company with over 100 franchise locations dedicated to controlling mosquitoes and adult ticks near residential properties. Other New Jersey Mosquito Squad locations include Ridgewood, Morristown, Randolph and Princeton.

"We come to your house and we spray the perimeter of your house and all the foliage," Heinemann said.

In order to know what they are killing, the Heinemann's had to learn a good amount about mosquitoes.

"Only female mosquitoes bite because they're pregnant," Maryellen Heinemann said.

Likewise, she said, human females are more attractive to mosquitoes. Tom Heinemann said male mosquitoes typically do not bother humans.

Mosquitoes are particularly pesky in homes near water, Heinemann said, as they tend to be attracted to and breed near wet places. Heinemann said mosquitoes living near water breed every single day.

The product Mosquito Squad uses to repel and kill mosquitoes and ticks takes about 30 minutes to apply and lasts up to 21 days. Heinemann said many customers schedule repeat treatments but some request one-time treatment if they are having a party or event in their yard. Pricing depends on the size of the home since treatment covers the perimeter of the house.

"We're able to create a barrier around the house," Heinemann said.

Mosquito season runs from April 15 through Oct. 15.

"For our product to be effective, there needs to be leaves on the trees," he said.

Particularly in Montville, Heinemann said mosquito repelling treatment is important. Sections of the township near water often see mosquito problems and especially after flooding, more mosquitoes tend to hatch.

But Mosquito Squad will not only kill existing mosquitoes. They will also tell you how to prevent attracting new ones in the future.

"You can actually lessen the mosquito population by doing certain things," Heinemann said. "It's about educating the customer."

Heinemann offered the company's "5 T's" to controlling mosquitoes:

"1. Tip-Reduce standing water to eliminate mosquito threats, including those in children's sandboxes, wagons or plastic toys; underneath and around downspouts, in plant saucers and dog bowls. Other hot spots include tarps, gutters and flat roofs.

2. Toss-Remove excess grass, leaves, firewod and clippings from the yards.

3. Turn-Turn over larger yard items that could hold water, like children's portable sandboxes or plastic toys.

4. Remove Tarps-If tarps stretched over firewood piles, boats or sports equipment aren't taut, they're holding water.

5. Treat-Utilize a mosquito elimination barrier treatment around the home and yard."