If you’re looking to join a franchise that doesn’t just talk the talk, but lives its mission every day, then ohDEER might be the perfect fit. As an outdoor lifestyle pest control brand, ohDEER is built on a simple but powerful idea: families and pets deserve to enjoy more time outside, without worrying about ticks, mosquitoes, or harmful chemicals.
At ohDEER, this belief runs deep. It’s not just a slogan, it’s a lifestyle that’s shared by our franchise owners and the entire development team. Everyone at ohDEER, from technicians in the field, to local owners and even the franchise support team, is passionate about protecting outdoor spaces so others can enjoy them more fully and safely.
Here’s a closer look at how our franchise system is rooted in the outdoor lifestyle, and how our people bring that mission to life every day!
Pest control is often associated with harsh chemicals, intimidating sprayers, and a reactive mindset. But ohDEER is different. We’re an all-natural, eco-friendly pest control franchise that believes protecting the environment is just as important as protecting people from pests.
Families who choose ohDEER often have young children, pets, and a love for their yards. They want to live an outdoor lifestyle, and they need safe, effective pest control that doesn’t compromise that. Our All-Natural Tick, Mosquito, and Deer Control solutions allow them to do just that.
We’ve built our brand around the idea that you shouldn’t have to choose between outdoor fun and pest protection. We provide both.
From hiking to coaching kids’ sports, our team members embody the ohDEER spirit of spending meaningful time outdoors. It helps them stay connected to the mission and better understand the needs of our franchisees and customers.
Kurt Upham didn’t just start ohDEER, he lives ohDEER. His outdoor passions include hunting, fishing, biking the rail trail, and walking his labs in the woods. After a long day, you’ll often find him relaxing by the fire in his backyard, in a yard protected by All-Natural Tick & Mosquito Control of course.
Kurt’s deep respect for nature and personal need for safe pest control solutions were what inspired him to create ohDEER in the first place. His love for the outdoors isn’t just part of the company story, it is the story.
Colleen Upham’s leadership is rooted in teamwork, encouragement, and a deep love for her dogs and the outdoors. She loves to golf, bike at the rail trail by her home, and taking her dogs on walks and hikes. She often shares a video of her outdoor adventures with the development team as a reminder of why we do what we do!
Her belief in enjoying more time outside extends to the way she nurtures relationships across the ohDEER franchise network. Colleen leads with optimism, collaboration, and a passion for helping others grow, both professionally and personally.
Leah brings ohDEER’s message to life through creative, relatable social media content, often while working outdoors herself. She is able to get content for the ohDEER social media of enjoying more time outside, by doing just that! Whether she’s watching the sunset, doing yoga, or playing with the dogs she watches, Leah draws inspiration from her own outdoor adventures.
Her love for capturing nature’s beauty helps tell authentic stories that resonate with our customers. As a content creator for ohDEER’s consumer and franchise brands, Leah knows firsthand how much our audience values safe, natural solutions for their families and pets.
Bryan is a dog dad, soccer fan, and avid explorer of new places, often on foot. Whether he’s walking with his rescue pup Kevin, discovering new coffee shops, or attending soccer matches, Bryan understands why customers want safe, enjoyable outdoor experiences for themselves and their furry friends.
His outdoor lifestyle gives him the unique ability to craft marketing campaigns that speak directly to our audience’s desires: to protect the people and pets they love while maintaining a toxin-free outdoor space.
At ohDEER, we believe in the power of nature and the joy of spending time outside. Our VP of Franchise Development, Jereme Shelton, is a true testament to this belief. When he’s not helping grow our ohDEER family, you can find him trail running, biking, hiking, swimming, or fishing. As a dedicated dad of four, Jereme loves when his kids and wife join him for outdoor adventures and quality time together.
Jereme is also the proud owner of a playful puppy who’s quickly become part of the family’s outdoor routine, joining them on walks, hikes, and backyard play. His firsthand experience as a dog owner deepens his understanding of how important it is for families to have safe, pest-free outdoor spaces where both kids and pets can roam freely.
While Jereme’s role at ohDEER doesn’t require him to be outdoors, his love for nature gives him a unique insight into our business. It helps him connect with prospective franchisees who share the same passion for the great outdoors. He knows that those who live and breathe the outdoor lifestyle are often the best fit for our all-natural pest control brand.
At ohDEER, we encourage everyone, our customers, our employees, and our franchisees, to enjoy more time outside. It’s not just our slogan; it’s how we live.
Todd Lamson, ohDEER’s Senior Director of Operations, recently shared a personal story that perfectly captures the spirit of our brand. After taking a hike with his daughter, a rare and meaningful moment in their busy lives. She paused mid-trail and remarked how much she appreciated that they’d been spending more time outside lately. That small comment stuck with Todd throughout the rest of their walk.
It was a powerful reminder of how ohDEER’s mission is more than a business strategy, it’s something that impacts the personal lives of those who work here. Since joining ohDEER Development Corporation, Todd has been deeply involved in supporting a brand that helps people reclaim and enjoy their outdoor spaces. He reflected on how this mission has quietly worked its way into his own life, creating more opportunities for connection, reflection, and time in nature with his family.
For Todd, and for so many on the ohDEER team, work and life don’t pull in opposite directions. At ohDEER, they align, reinforcing a lifestyle that values health, balance, and time outdoors. Todd’s experience is a beautiful example of what it means to lead a brand that lives its values every day.
When you join ohDEER as a franchise owner, you’re not just starting a business, you’re becoming part of a purpose-driven community that prioritizes family, wellness, and the outdoors.
Many of our franchisees were drawn to ohDEER because of their own desire to spend more time outside, find career fulfillment, and make a difference in their communities. No matter their background before ohDEER, our owners share a passion for creating safer spaces for others to enjoy.
At the heart of ohDEER’s brand is the belief that families deserve to enjoy their yards without worrying about the health risks of ticks, mosquitoes, and chemical pesticides. That belief hits home for many of our franchise owners, who are raising families of their own and understand firsthand how important safe outdoor spaces really are.
“As a father of young kids, I understand that parents are starting to see tick and mosquito control as not just a luxury, but a necessity in fighting insect-borne diseases,” said Wes Davis, owner of ohDEER Central Virginia. “ohDEER gives us the opportunity to build a thriving business that will make a positive impact in our community.”
Just like our leadership team, ohDEER franchise owners truly embrace what it means to enjoy more time outside. Whether they’re hiking local trails, fishing with their kids, playing with their dogs in the backyard, or coaching youth sports, our owners lead by example, living the very lifestyle we help our customers achieve.
Want to see how our franchisees spend their time outdoors? Check out a few of our favorite posts that highlight their passions, personalities, and how they like to enjoy more time outside:
These stories aren’t just inspiring, they’re proof that ohDEER franchise ownership is more than a career. It’s a lifestyle that lets you grow a business while protecting what matters most: time spent outside with the people and pets you love.
We hear time and again from customers who say ohDEER has completely changed the way they enjoy their yards.
“When we first moved to our home 3 years ago, we found ticks on us frequently when playing in our own yard. We began using ohDEER, wanting something that would allow us to continue enjoying the outdoors with the kids without toxic chemicals. Since that first year, we have not found a single tick on ourselves or kids… That’s pretty darn incredible!” – Rachel B.
This kind of feedback drives everything we do. We’re not just solving pest problems, we’re enabling family picnics, safe dog romps, and backyard memories to flourish.
At ohDEER, we stand for:
Whether it’s the team at headquarters, in the field, or the families we serve, the ohDEER community is united by a shared love of nature and a commitment to helping others enjoy it more fully.
If you’re an outdoor enthusiast with a passion for protecting families and pets, and want to build a career around it, then franchising with ohDEER could be your next great adventure.
ohDEER offer’s franchise owners:
Become part of a growing outdoor lifestyle pest control brand. Help others enjoy more time outside, while creating the life you want for yourself! Visit our franchising website to learn more.
