Redwood Empire Termite & Pest Control provides complete termite and pest control services for residential and commercial clients in Sonoma, Marin, Napa, and Solano Counties. The family-owned and operated company uses a variety of methods to rid homes and businesses of unwanted pests, including both chemical and environmentally-friendly treatments, and it also has the capabilities to perform termite inspections and offer water correction, dry rot, and termite damage repairs.
Owner Brandy Straub is a third-generation proprietor of Redwood Empire Termite & Pest Control, and he says he approaches every job with the same business principles utilized by his grandfather, who established the company in 1946. “My grandfather believed each individual job demanded individual attention, and we continue that philosophy. We understand that we’re working in people’s homes, so we’re very conscientious of our surroundings.”
Redwood Empire Termite & Pest Control is well-known for its troubleshooting capabilities—Mr. Straub is a California-licensed pest educator and uses his vast knowledge of pest and rodent behavior to effectively solve all types of infestation problems. “Instead of just putting out baits or chemicals, I follow the pests’ habits and figure out the best way to eliminate them,” he says. “It’s a fun challenge, and it yields positive results and happy clients.”
“We go into every job with the intention of leaving the house better and safer than when we arrived. We're problem solvers–if we're on a termite job but we see another problem, we'll go out of our way to solve both. We cater to our customers' needs and strive to build long-term relationships with them. Ultimately, we want to be their pest control/termite professional for life.”
Prevention is the key to controlling termite infestations in your home.
Termite control is a two-part process: preventing the termites from accessing your home and treating known termite colonies. There are numerous methods you can use to prevent termites from damaging your home, including receiving an annual inspection by a pest control professional and addressing termite-conducive conditions on your property. Here are some tips for dealing with the two most prevalent types of termites in California:
Subterranean TermitesSubte
rranean termites cause about 95 percent of termite-related structural damage in the United States. They usually live in the soil in large colonies, but they can survive above ground if enough moisture is present. To protect your home from a future infestation, consider the following tips:
Remove access
• Eliminate entry points by sealing gaps around water and gas lines where they enter your home.
• Try to reduce any wood-to-ground contact—that’s a common access point for subterranean termites. You can also treat your wood with termiticide to make it unattractive to termites.
Reduce food sources
• Throw out extra cellulose materials around your house. Replace landscaping mulch with cellulose-free alternatives or move it back at least six inches from your foundation.
• Make sure wood siding is at least six inches above the ground.
Reduce excess moisture
• Make sure water doesn’t pool around the foundation of your home or on your roof.
• Address moisture problems in basement and crawlspace areas.
• Fix leaky plumbing, faulty gutters and air conditioner condensation lines that may be dripping.
Monitor activity and adopt prevention techniques
• Inspect lumber (especially used lumber and railroad ties) for termites before using it in home or garden projects.
• Ask a pest management professional to recommend prevention techniques around your home, which could include monitoring stations, liquid treatment or direct wood treatment. Monitoring stations are the least intrusive option—they serve as warning signs of activity, but they don’t provide any protection against infestations.
Drywood Termites
Drywood termites live within wood in small colonies. Their moisture requirements are minimal, so they don’t need soil contact in order to survive. To protect your home from drywood termite infestations, consider the following tips:
Remove access
• Drywood termites can enter your home through small cracks in exterior wood, so it’s important to seal all cracks, crevices and joints.
• Apply a fresh coat of paint to your home’s exterior—it’ll seal even the smallest crevices in the wood.
• Install bug screens over attic and foundation vents.
Reduce food sources
• Remove dead trees, firewood and any other dead wood that can house drywood termites.
Monitor activity and adopt prevention techniques
• Watch for infestation signs near areas with wood shingles—they create easy access for drywood termites.
• Ask a termite expert about proactive treatment options that can help protect your home.
Few pest control companies earn the prestigious Diamond Certified award, which means they've been independently rated Highest in Quality. Even fewer can also claim more than six decades of industry experience, but that's exactly the case for Redwood Empire Termite & Pest Control. "My grandfather started this company in 1946 with the idea that each individual pest control job should receive individual attention, and I'm proud to continue his philosophy," says owner Brandy Straub. "He was also one of the founders of the Structural Pest Control Board, and he established a lot of the rules and regulations that are still industry standards today."
Redwood Empire Termite & Pest Control provides complete termite and pest control services for residential and commercial clients in Sonoma, Marin and Napa Counties. The family-owned and operated company uses both chemical and environmentally-friendly treatment methods to rid homes and businesses of unwanted pests, including termites (all species), beetles, moths, weevils, woodlice, earwigs, ants, roaches, rats, hornets, wasps and more.
Unlike the owners of larger pest control companies who delegate onsite work to less experienced applicators, Mr. Straub personally handles each of Redwood Empire Termite & Pest Control's jobs, which allows him to consistently utilize his grandfather's groundbreaking techniques and treatment methods. "Not many pest control professionals had the kind of mentoring I received," he says. "I grew up in this business, so I'm very well-rounded and suited to handle any problems that may occur. I take great pride in my work and strive to take care of all my clients' needs."
Another distinguishing feature of Redwood Empire Termite & Pest Control is its comprehensive approach to quality control. Since Mr. Straub is onsite for every job, he's able to immediately address questions and concerns, which ultimately creates a streamlined process that alleviates stress for his clients. "I'm only as good as my last job, so I never leave unless the customer is completely satisfied," says Mr. Straub. "If I have to come back, it doesn't look good for my ability to solve problems, so I make sure to address issues upfront and provide the best pest control experience possible."
