Turning Skeptics into Raving Fans: A Deer Control Franchise Opportunity Blossoms in the Midwest

When ohDEER launched two new franchise locations in the Midwest, ohDEER Northwest Columbus, Ohio and ohDEER West County St. Louis, Missouri, we knew we were entering deer country. But what we didn’t anticipate was how quickly our services would turn skeptical homeowners into enthusiastic supporters.

Earlier this season, Bryan Vohsing, ohDEER’s Director of Marketing and an Ohio native, traveled with Todd Lamson, our Senior Director of Operations, to visit the two newest franchise locations. While Todd and Bryan were both impressed by how well the new owners were executing their services, what stood out most were the stories from their customers. Bryan shared what he saw firsthand, and how these experiences reflect the strength of the deer control franchise opportunity with ohDEER.

“Even as someone from the Midwest, I had no idea just how hard and how long people here have been fighting against deer,” Bryan said. “They’ve tried everything—netting, fences, motion activated sprinklers, applying their own products, and my two favorites we heard from a customer in Rob’s territory: hanging old CDs from a tree by fishing wire (apparently deer don’t like the reflections) and blaring a bullhorn at 3am despite what their neighbors might think.”

That skepticism runs deep, and for good reason. In the Midwest, deer are more than just a nuisance; they’re a constant, year-round challenge for homeowners who take pride in their gardens and landscaping. After decades of failed D.I.Y. efforts and short-lived solutions, many residents have grown understandably wary of any new service that promises results. That’s why our Midwest franchisees had to do more than just show up. They had to educate, demonstrate, and consistently deliver real, visible protection. Winning trust in these markets takes proof, not promises. But thanks to their dedication and thorough service, they’ve shown customers that ohDEER’s All-Natural Deer Control is the real deal.

A Deer Control Franchise Opportunity Backed by Real Customer Impact

In Columbus, Jeri and Sarah, owners of the new ohDEER Northwest Columbus franchise, have already made a big impression. One of their early customers, Michael, has been battling deer damage for two decades.

“Michael told us he hasn’t been able to enjoy his hosta garden for 20 YEARS,” Bryan said. “Every year the deer hop his fence and treat his garden like a buffet leaving no scraps behind.”

Michael’s yard is lined with more than 30 hosta plants, which were consistently eaten down to the roots. But after beginning ohDEER’s all-natural Deer Control program, everything changed.

“And sure enough, when we visited the property, the deer were there—20 feet behind his fence—to welcome us,” Bryan recalled. “You could feel their eyes staring us down as if to say, ‘so you’re the ones who ruined our dinner?’ If I were a deer, I’d be pretty mad too.”

A Similar Story in Missouri

In West County St. Louis, new franchisees Rob and Rachel, faced a similar situation with a customer named Pat, whose hosta garden had been under siege ever since a housing development pushed deer closer to her yard.

“Pat has tried everything to get the deer to stop eating her hostas,” Bryan explained. “She applied her own product, hung CDs from fishing wire, installed motion activated sprinklers, covered each plant with netting, and, famously, had a bullhorn she’d blare at 3am when she woke up in the night and saw the deer feeding.”

Pat was hesitant to try yet another solution, but ohDEER’s results spoke for themselves. “Two months into the spring/summer season and her hostas haven’t been touched,” Bryan said. “We had groups of five to seven deer that would come here regularly. They don’t come here anymore, Pat told us.” Not only are the hostas thriving, but they’re spreading so fast Pat has had to rearrange her garden to make space.

“I’m again getting to enjoy my hostas,” she said. “Some I never thought I’d see again came up this year. So, I’m excited!”

Watch her testimonial in her own words here.

Why the Midwest Is Prime for a Deer Control Franchise Opportunity

These early wins are more than feel-good stories, they demonstrate the power of ohDEER’s proven model in untapped markets. In areas like Ohio and Missouri, homeowners are just discovering that a service like ours even exists. The enthusiasm is real! One homeowner in Missouri was so impressed, she asked for a yard sign and business cards to hand out at her neighborhood block party.

These customer reactions reflect what makes ohDEER a standout deer control franchise opportunity: real, visible results that people are eager to share with neighbors, friends, and family. “Pat and Michael are thrilled about the results of our Deer Control and they’re telling anyone who will listen,” Bryan said. Pat shared, “I keep telling a friend at church because he has problems with deer, but he wants to see how my plants hold up first. Well, they’re holding up pretty well!”

Our Franchisees Make It Happen

At ohDEER, we’re proud of the product, but we know that results come from more than just a spray bottle. Execution matters, and our franchise owners are delivering.

“These success stories are only possible with the hard work and thorough applications our new owners are providing,” Bryan emphasized. “Like (ohDEER Founder) Kurt always says, the product is only as good as the person spraying it!”

Jeri, Sarah, Rob, and Rachel are building loyal customer bases by offering consistent, professional service backed by ohDEER’s decade of experience and support.

Ready to Bring ohDEER to Your Community?

The success of these Midwest franchises shows just how ripe the ohDEER franchise opportunity is. If you’re looking for a business that combines environmental responsibility, proven demand, and meaningful customer relationships, this deer control franchise opportunity could be the perfect fit. Whether you’re an outdoor enthusiast, a career-changer seeking more autonomy, or someone passionate about protecting landscapes and families from deer damage, ohDEER offers a path to entrepreneurship that’s both fulfilling and scalable.

With a brand built on trust, all-natural products, and franchisee support every step of the way, ohDEER is turning skeptics into raving fans, and entrepreneurs into successful owners.

Interested in launching your own ohDEER franchise?
Learn more about the deer control franchise opportunity and start your journey today.