In 2018, Robert Lathrop experienced a life-changing tick bite that led to Alpha-Gal Syndrome (AGS)—an allergy to red meat caused by the bite of a Lone Star tick. With AGS, he had to dramatically change his diet to avoid a potentially life-threatening reaction. Although he has been in remission since 2020, the experience reshaped how he thought about health and the outdoors. It became one of several factors that influenced Robert and his family to open their own Mosquito Joe franchise in the Chattanooga area.
During the pandemic, Robert and his wife Dawn began looking for a business that aligned with their interests and family values. Dawn is an epidemiologist who studies vector borne diseases and teaches environmental science courses at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga. “When we came across Mosquito Joe, it immediately felt like the right fit,” Dawn says. That connection was not accidental. From age 14 through when he enlisted in the Navy, Robert had worked for his father who was a crop duster in Indiana. His background made the transition into pest control feel natural, especially with Mosquito Joe’s emphasis on education, safety, and customer trust.
Additionally, with Dawn’s experience and two sons, Nathan and Nicholas, in college—one pursuing a degree in environmental science and the other getting a master’s degree in computer science—everyone can be involved. “We are a family business,” Robert shares. Nathan and Nicholas are both certified pesticide applicators and have worked summers for Mosquito Joe. Being a family that appreciates and protects the environment, they are proud to use environmentally friendly botanical solutions and integrated pest management. “One of the things we decided to do was approach pest control with botanical solutions and try to avoid some of the synthetic pesticides,” Robert says. “By using more botanical-based solutions and preventive measures, it’s better for the environment, pollinators, pets, and kids.”
The Lathrops have a love of dogs and their three dogs, Maggie, Buddy, and Abby, are a valuable part of their family. Recently, they adopted Abby, who had a heartworm infection. Heartworm infections are caused by mosquito bites. “We didn’t realize the extent of heartworm infection treatment, and we know that no owner would want to put their dog through that if there is a way to avoid it,” shares Dawn. While heartworm preventative treatment is very helpful, it does not eliminate a dog’s risk of contracting it. Mosquito treatments for yards can help ensure that dogs are safe. “Pest control is not just about removing a nuisance; it is about protecting health—whether that’s of kids playing in the yard, pets running around, or people with allergies and sensitivities,” Robert says.
One of the most rewarding parts of the job for Robert is helping people reclaim their outdoor spaces. “There’s something really satisfying about giving someone their yard back,” he says. Robert finds fulfillment in handling stinging insects, even though he has a wasp allergy himself. “They are challenging, unique, and they matter,” Robert explains. “Stinging insects can be genuinely dangerous, especially for people with allergies. Solving those problems feels meaningful.”
Additionally, as someone who loves being outdoors, a favorite part of the job for Robert is getting to be outside during normal business hours, something that he could not do at his former job. Mosquito Joe provided the perfect way for Robert and Dawn to merge their passions with their work.
Today, they are serving their community through Mosquito Joe by offering services for mosquitoes, ticks, fleas, stinging insects, spiders, rodents, and home pest defense. Their work reflects a broader commitment to health, safety, and environmental awareness; values shaped by both personal experience and a desire to build a business that makes a real difference. To learn more about Mosquito Joe of Chattanooga, visit mosquitojoe.com/locations/Chattanooga or call (423) 558-0628.