Mosquito Shield now serving southern Delaware

Few things ruin an enjoyable day outside more than the constant buzzing and biting of mosquitoes. That’s why Brad and Kristi Sutliffe are opening Mosquito Shield of Southern Delaware.

There’s been an explosion of homes that need the service, said Brad.

Mosquito Shield is a seasonal business that runs late April/early May through October and primarily does two things – kills mosquitoes and deters them from coming back.

Mosquitoes are attracted to the carbon dioxide humans produce. In addition to killing the mosquitoes, Brad said, the company’s bee-friendly product masks the carbon dioxide with a mix that contains mostly garlic and other essential oils. 

A technician applies the “shield” – a proprietary mix that kills and repels mosquitoes – once every 10 to 17 days. Brad, who has been trained as a technician at the corporate level, said it takes about three treatments to get a full level of protection.

The application of the product typically takes 10 minutes and the yard can be used as soon as it’s had a chance to dry, said Brad, who also works in the insurance industry.

Brad said the corporate office ships their supplies and they mix them daily. The goal is to make enough for the day’s customers, then mix a fresh batch in the morning, he said.

Based outside Lewes, the Sutliffes hadn’t set out to bring a Mosquito Shield to southern Delaware, but through research, they decided it was the path they wanted to take.

Kristi has been a stay-at-home mom for the past decade and was interested in returning to work now that the couple’s three children are getting older. Rather than Kristi starting over again at the bottom of the corporate ladder, the Sutliffes began looking into owning a business. They realized a franchise, with its built-in support system, was the way to go. Further research led them to Mosquito Shield because they thought it was a product that could be beneficial to a wide range of customers.

It’s a bad investment if new homeowners can’t use their backyards because of mosquitoes, Kristi said, and covering children in bug spray is gross.

The coverage area for Mosquito Shield of Southern Delaware includes everything south of Smyrna. The company also offers the same service for ticks and treatments for specific events.

The cost of the seasonal service is typically $599 annually, but the Sutliffes are offering a first-season discount of $75. 

For more information on Mosquito Shield, email info@mosquitoshieldsde.com or call 302-524-2314.