3 Minutes on a Park Bench with Senn Catchings, Owner, President and CEO of the Mosquito Authority of North Atlanta

We recently sat down on a virtual park bench with Patch partner Senn Catchings of the Mosquito Authority. He told us how he became involved in the mosquito control industry and recommends three great books everyone should read.

Patch: Can you tell us a little bit about your background and experience?

Senn Catchings: I am a veteran that served as an Apache helicopter pilot and a combat medic in the U.S. Army. After the military, I was in medical device sales for almost 20 years before buying the Mosquito Authority franchises in North Atlanta. Buying the Mosquito Authority of North Atlanta was a natural fit given my medical background and desire to help protect people from the dangers of the Zika and West Nile viruses. I have been married to Camille, my amazing wife for over 20 years, and have a son, Chance, and a daughter, Callie, who are our pride and joy. I also love SEC football.

Patch: How are you involved in the community?

Senn Catchings: We are very invested in the community. We are so concerned about the effects of the Zika virus, we are giving away over $160,000 in free treatments to pregnant women in the North Atlanta area throughout their pregnancies. We have seen the devastating effects that Zika can have on people and unborn children and really want to help protect the communities in which we serve

Patch: If you had to recommend three books what would they be and why?

Senn Catchings: “Good to Great” is a book that does a great job teaching the ways to focus on being the best. “Think and Grow Rich” is an invaluable lesson about how if you follow your desires, you will reap the benefits. “How to Win Friends and Influence People” shows how relationships are everything. It does a great job of showing how to develop those relationships.

Patch: What is your definition of success?

Senn Catchings: If I can help protect one person like an expectant mother and her baby from the dangers of the Zika virus, I will feel successful. I will feel that I have done my job. It is very rewarding to own a company that truly provides a service to the community. Developing my employees through training and motivation to be great people, stewards of our business and to have integrity in everything they do, to me, is another great measure of success.

Patch: What made you pursue a career in the Mosquito Control industry?

Senn Catchings: I am a survivor of the West Nile Virus and it was one of the worst things I have ever been through. This virus alone has killed close to 2,000 people since it was discovered. I purchased the North Atlanta area from The Mosquito Authority, which is one of the largest providers of mosquito treatments in America, over five years ago. As a veteran, and with my background in the medical field, I know the dangers of mosquitoes, so I wanted to be a part of something that helps protect U.S. families.

Patch: What services does The Mosquito Authority of North Atlanta offer?

Senn Catchings: The Mosquito Authority of North Atlanta offers both mosquito and tick treatments. To help protect pregnant women from Zika, we are offering an Expectant Mothers program and our June/July special is $59 if a seasonal package is purchased, which is $10 off the regular rate of $69 for up to one acre. Call 404.345.9572 This is only available in Mosquito Authority, North Atlanta service area. Tick treatments are $39 for up to one acre with recurring service. One-time event treatments are also available.

Patch: Can you talk about REPEL+PLUS Mosquito Treatment?

Senn Catchings: REPEL+PLUS is our proprietary three-step process. The first step, which is critically important, involves finding and eliminating the mosquito breeding areas. For the second step, we use our private-label, proprietary spray to kill adult mosquitoes where they live. When it dries, your kids and pets can go outside and enjoy their mosquito-free yard. The treatment helps create a barrier so that mosquitoes stay away. For the third step, we recommend retreating your yard every 21 days. This coincides with the life cycle of the mosquito and ensures that we can provide our 100% Mosquito Free Satisfaction Guarantee.

Patch: Can you explain why Mosquitoes can be a problem or a danger?

Senn Catchings: Mosquitoes can be carriers of serious and potentially fatal diseases such as Zika and West Nile viruses -- trust the professionals at America’s largest provider of mosquito control to help protect your family and pets from Zika virus, West Nile virus, Lyme disease, Heartworms and other dangers caused by mosquitoes.

Patch: What are some of the signs readers should look for to tell if they have a Mosquito problem?

Senn Catchings: If you are bitten by mosquitoes when you are in your yard, you have an issue. Please call us and have our trained technicians help you eliminate the sources of your mosquitoes and create a barrier around your yard, so that mosquitoes stay out.

Patch: When should they call in a professional for help?

Senn Catchings: As soon as they see signs that you have mosquitoes in your yard, please call us and let us help you get your yard back from mosquitoes.

Patch: What are the top things readers can do to protect themselves from mosquitos?

Senn Catchings: Top tips from the Centers for Disease Control include:

• Wear long-sleeved shirts and long pants
• Stay in places with air conditioning and window and door screens to keep mosquitoes outside
• Take steps to control mosquitoes inside and outside of your house
• Use EPA-registered insect repellents with one of the following active ingredients: DEET, picaridin, IR3535, oil of lemon eucalyptus or para-menthane-diol. Choosing an EPA-registered repellent ensures the EPA has evaluated the product for effectiveness. When used as directed, EPA-registered insect repellents are proven safe and effective, even for pregnant and breastfeeding women.

Patch: In your opinion, how does the Mosquito Authority of North Atlanta stand out from the competition

Senn Catchings: We are one of America's largest providers of mosquito control and Atlanta's best because of our excellent customer service, process, people and our 100% Mosquito Free Guarantee. Our trained technicians and our comprehensive REPEL+PLUS program break the mosquito lifecycle to keep the disease-carrying pests out of your yard—and your life—all season long. We also stand behind our 100% Mosquito Free Guarantee—if you get bitten by a mosquito, we will re-treat at no charge.

Patch: How can readers contact you or learn more about the Mosquito Authority of North Atlanta?

Senn Catchings: People can learn more about the Mosquito Authority of North Atlanta by calling us at 404.345.9572 or visiting BugsBITE.com. It would be our pleasure and privilege to help protect your family from all the dangers of mosquitoes.

Photo by Donnie Ray Jones via flickr