Meet the Family Behind Yard Brat
What started as a nickname from a father to his dirt-covered son became a legacy. For over 44 years, we've been protecting Southwest Florida families—because that's what family does.
How a "Yard Brat" Was Born
Nick and his father, where it all began
It all started the summer of 1980 in New York. I was five years old when my father took my sister, my brother, and me out to one of his landscaping jobs for the first time. He had a successful business and a full crew on-site, but that day, he brought us along for the experience—and because he was babysitting.
He was building a baseball field for a customer. The crew was laying sod and pushing wheelbarrows full of clay. Out of all his kids, I was the one getting filthy. I couldn't help it. I was climbing in the wheelbarrows, playing in the clay, and rolling around on the ground. There were orange handprints all over my father's new F-250 pickup. My clothes were a mess.
We had a great relationship, my father and I. He'd yell at me, but never in a hurtful way. I just kept irking him and pushing his buttons. He'd ask, "Why are you always in the dirt? What are you doing with that clay?" I'd grin and say, "Well, ya got me workin'."
"You're a jitterbug. You gotta be a brat. Always in the dirt. You brat. Can't keep yourself clean, and now you wanna sit in my truck?"
That's when I said it: "I am a brat! I'll be a Yard Brat!"
He stopped in his tracks. "What did you just say? Yard Brat? That's it. That's the name." We asked, "The name of what?" He said, "The name of the company."
And just like that, Yard Brat Landscaping was born.
From Landscaping to Pest Control
A passion for understanding nature led us to protect homes and families.
Over time, Yard Brat grew into much more than a landscaping company. We expanded into a sod farm, a nursery, and eventually Yard Brat Pest & Termite Control. What started as a joke between a father and his messy kid turned into something real. Something lasting.
Along the way, I became fascinated with animals—especially insects. I studied their behavior, their movements, and how they impacted people's lives. Those early experiences taught me about hard work, running a business, and what it really means to deliver services people can count on.
That's why I still do what I do today. I have a deep passion for educating people about pests and termites, and for solving the problems they create. There's nothing more satisfying than helping someone protect their home or business, while creating a space that's safe, healthy, and free from serious damage and risk.
Where It All Began
Father & son, building a legacy
The Foy Family
Three generations of service
Yard Brat Today
Protecting Southwest Florida
Thank you for trusting us with your home.
Nick Foy
Founder – Yard Brat Pest & Termite
What We Stand For
Your Home Is Our Priority
We treat every home like it's our own. That means taking extra care, explaining what we're doing, and never cutting corners.
Education First
We believe informed customers are happier customers. We take time to explain pest behavior and prevention so you understand the "why" behind our work.
Honest & Transparent
No scare tactics. No unnecessary treatments. Just honest assessments and straightforward solutions that put your family's safety first.
Excellence in Everything
From our first phone call to our follow-up visits, we strive for excellence. Our reputation depends on getting it right—every single time.
Our Journey
Yard Brat Landscaping is born in New York after a five-year-old Nick earns his nickname by getting covered in clay at his father's job site.
The business expands to include a sod farm and nursery. Nick develops a fascination with insects and their behavior.
Yard Brat Pest & Termite Control launches, bringing Nick's passion for pest education and family-focused service to Southwest Florida.
Three generations later, Yard Brat continues to protect Manatee County homes and businesses with the same values and dedication that started it all.
Our Mission
To protect Southwest Florida homes and businesses from pests while educating our community about the creatures that share our environment. We believe every family deserves a safe, healthy, pest-free space—and we're committed to making that happen with honesty, expertise, and the personal care that only a family-owned business can provide.
Become Part of the Yard Brat Family
When you choose Yard Brat, you're not just hiring a pest control company—you're joining a family that's been protecting homes for over four decades. Let us show you why your neighbors trust us with their most important investment.
📞 Call (941) 949-2085