The Franchise: Ontario, Canada-based Skedaddle Humane Wildlife Control aims to protect homes from bats, rodents, birds, squirrels, skunks and raccoons, without causing harm or distress to wildlife. Founded by Bill Dowd in 1989, Skedaddle offers its wildlife prevention, pest control and restoration services in 25 markets, largely in Canada and now in three U.S. markets all located in Wisconsin.
2011: While earning an undergrad degree in wildlife biology at the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point, Marcus Mueller landed an internship at the Wisconsin Humane Society, answering its wildlife hotline and assisting with urban wildlife encounters. The experience planted an initial seed that would later grow into a business.
“It opened my eyes to the need for a good service to provide humane, long-term wildlife removal for people experiencing these issues. Most wildlife control is done in a trap-and-remove or relocate method, which can provide some great solutions for homeowners, but it doesn’t necessarily do anything about the fact that there was a hole in the house that invited these animals in.”
2015: During graduate school at UW-Madison, Mueller stumbled upon Skedaddle. The concept was similar to the wildlife control business idea he had once envisioned. The company didn’t have operations outside of Canada at the time, but it planned to expand into the U.S. eventually. Mueller kept in touch, laying the groundwork for a deal.
“I ultimately decided I wanted to go the franchise route because my background was exclusively in wildlife, and I really had no business background to speak of.”
2017: Skedaddle opened for business in Milwaukee and Lake Country, marking the brand’s U.S. debut. About six months later, Mueller hired his first employee.
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During an average week, Skedaddle’s wildlife technicians visit one to two houses a day.[/caption]
2020: Mueller opened a third franchise location, in Madison. Today, the business has nine employees between the Milwaukee, Lake Country and Madison territories.
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Skedaddle’s Wisconsin team.[/caption]
The franchise fee: $49,500
