Meet the Bug Squad
Discovering the World of Bugs, Nature, and Science
The Bug Squad is Franklin Pest Solutions’ environmental education team, bringing the fascinating world of insects to life and helping kids and families better understand the nature that surrounds them.
From school visits and live insect encounters to Girl Scout programs, STEM career exploration, community events, media appearances, and social content, The Bug Squad creates opportunities to learn by seeing, touching, asking questions, and exploring. We want to turn uncertainty about bugs into curiosity, encourage more time spent discovering the outdoors, and show young people just how many possibilities can begin with an interest in science and nature.
Follow The Bug Squad!
Our Mission
To make bugs and the natural world approachable through engaging, hands-on learning that encourages questions, builds confidence, and inspires people of all ages to look closer at the incredible life happening all around them.
What We Do
Schools & Libraries
Media Education
Live Insect Encounters
STEM Career Mentoring
Youth Programs
Nature Exploration
Community Outreach
Museum Exhibits
Why Bugs Matter
Pollinators Keep Our World Growing
Bees, butterflies, and other pollinators help plants reproduce, support the foods we eat, and contribute to healthy, diverse ecosystems. Learning how these insects benefit our environment can help us make more thoughtful choices that protect the habitats and resources they depend on.
Curiosity Today Can Shape Tomorrow
A childhood interest in bugs, animals, or the outdoors can grow into a lifelong passion or even a future career. Giving young people opportunities to explore nature, ask questions, and make their own discoveries helps build confidence, curiosity, and a deeper connection to the world around them.
Finding Balance With the Natural World
Insects and wildlife are part of the environments we share, and understanding their place in nature helps us make better decisions about how we interact with them. Appreciating beneficial species while responsibly managing pests allows us to protect people, property, and public health without losing sight of the bigger ecosystem around us.
Meet The Team
Science, creativity, education, and community all come together in The Bug Squad. Our different backgrounds and interests shape what we bring to the team, but what connects us is a genuine curiosity about the natural world and a desire to share that enthusiasm with others.
Janelle Iaccino
The Bug Girl | Marketing Director
Known as “The Bug Girl,” Janelle has been turning her love of insects and nature into opportunities to educate and inspire others for more than 20 years. Her nickname goes all the way back to high school, when classmates discovered she kept a pet tarantula in her locker! An artist, musician, and lifelong nature lover, Janelle brings a creative perspective and plenty of enthusiasm to The Bug Squad.
Ravin McMorris
Marketing Coordinator
Ravin helps shape the creative side of The Bug Squad, turning ideas into memorable events, educational experiences, and content that gets people excited about nature. A Chicago native and Loyola University Chicago graduate, she also holds a master’s degree in business with a concentration in marketing. Outside of work, you’ll often find her playing flag football or enjoying time outdoors.
Allison Beach
Technical Specialist | BCE-Intern
A Purdue University Entomology graduate, Allison combines her scientific expertise with a talent for making bugs fascinating and approachable. As a Technical Specialist and BCE-Intern, she brings hands-on learning to schools, community events, and Bug Squad programs, where she enjoys introducing people to live insects, answering their questions, and helping them see familiar creatures from a whole new perspective.
The Bug Squad by the Numbers
Each year, The Bug Squad connects with kids and families throughout the Midwest, bringing science and nature to life through school visits, youth programs, live insect experiences, and community events.
25+
Educational Experiences Each Year
Interactive experiences that bring insects, science, and nature to life at schools, camps, museums, Scout programs, and events throughout our communities.
15+
School & Youth Programs Each Year
Giving kids the confidence to explore, ask questions, and discover just how fascinating insects and the natural world can be.
10+
Museum & STEM Events Each Year
Working alongside museums, zoos, schools, and community organizations to create meaningful opportunities for science, discovery, and environmental learning.
5
States Across the Midwest
Sharing our love of insects and nature with communities across Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Illinois, and Wisconsin.
You Never Know What You’ll Discover When You Look Closer
There’s an entire world waiting just outside your door. Turn over a log, watch what visits a flower, or stop to investigate a bug you’ve never seen before. A little curiosity can lead to a new appreciation for nature, a lifelong interest in science, or simply a really cool discovery you’ll want to tell someone about.
You’ve got a pest problem. We’ve got your eco-friendly pest solution.
Whether you’ve got wasps, rodents, spiders (or you name it), we can assist with your pest problem. We can even provide same-day service. Drop us a line to schedule your pest control services today!
Safe For Your Family and Business
We’re licensed, trained, and certified by the Departments of Public Health and Agriculture, using safe, EPA-regulated materials, always.
Attacking Infestations at the Root
We don’t come in spraying. We evaluate the root of your problem, and recommend and enact pre-emptive measures before any chemicals are used.
Assessments Before Any Contracts
Our Customer Care Center walks you through every service, every charge, and every solution before you agree to anything. Our commitment is to you.