Maintaining customer satisfaction is a crucial aspect of any business, but it’s even more important for termite control companies that have earned the prestigious Diamond Certified award. For Bongiorno Termite Control, Inc., the key to achieving and maintaining high levels of customer satisfaction is simple: take a straightforward approach to every job that ensures the client is treated fairly throughout the entire process. “We don’t try to influence our customers to spend money on services that aren’t in their best interest,” says owner Andrew Bongiorno. “When they realize they’re being treated fairly, they feel confident about using us again and recommending us to others, which works out better for everyone in the long run.”

Bongiorno Termite Control has been providing a complete range of termite control services for residential clients in Contra Costa and Alameda Counties since 2006. The company is known for its powerful subterranean termite treatment (which creates a chemical barrier that protects structures for up to 10 years if left undisturbed), and it can also provide local treatments that are designed to eradicate dry wood termites, carpenter ants and bees, wood boring beetles, and dry rot/fungus.

Unlike less experienced termite control companies that strive to maximize their workload volume by completing jobs as quickly as possible and sacrifice a certain amount of quality in the process, Bongiorno Termite Control takes a detail-oriented approach to every project that gives equal attention to timeliness and quality of workmanship. “We know our customers’ time is important, especially when they need to get their homes inspected for real estate transactions, so we strive to work as quickly as possible while still retaining a high level of quality,” says Mr. Bongiorno. “We’ll do whatever it takes to make sure our clients get what they need on time.”

Another unique feature of Bongiorno Termite Control is the highly detailed reports it provides for its clients, which include accurate diagrams of their houses that show damaged areas so they have a clear idea of what treatments to expect. “When a customer reads one of our reports, they’re able to see the exact location of their termite damage, which is really helpful,” says Mr. Bongiorno. “This information is especially valuable for real estate agents and contractors who are brought in to repair the damage, as it saves them a lot of time and effort by detailing exactly what needs to be done.”

Chemical products are no substitute for a pest control professional. When it comes to eradicating termites and other pests, many homeowners opt for store-bought extermination products as a less expensive alternative to hiring a pest control professional. However, most of these products lack the ability to actually solve infestation problems, so they become more costly investments in the long run.

The biggest problem with store-bought pest control products is they don’t get to the root of the problem: the presence of a “lure,” which is what attracts pests to a property in the first place. Pests tend to be very resolute when it comes to obtaining a desired lure, so they’re often able to circumvent any obstacle placed in their path. In lieu of either removing the lure or creating an effective barrier between the pest and lure, store-bought chemical agents offer short-term solutions at best.

Another disadvantage of store-bought products is their need to be frequently reapplied—even the slightest moisture can reduce the effects of chemical agents. In addition to being time consuming, the reapplication of these products can be very expensive, which counteracts their original purpose of saving you money.

While store-bought pest control products may offer immediate, low-cost results to alleviate your pest problems, they simply don’t provide any sort of dependable, long-term solutions, leaving your home susceptible to further infestations. In contrast, a physical barrier designed and installed by a pest control professional is the most effective deterrent against recurring pest problems.

Many people worry about pesticides harming the environment, but according to Andrew Bongiorno, owner of Bongiorno Termite Control, Inc., in Oakley, the pesticide industry is becoming more environmentally-friendly with each passing year. “There are some really good formulations now that aren’t even chemical-based, and they’re just as effective at controlling termites as chemical products,” he says. “The industry is shifting toward integrated pest management (IPM), which means using non-chemical methods to make an environment inhospitable for pests, like moving vegetation away from structures so insects don’t have a way into a home. So far, IPM has mostly been used for rodent control, but it can also be effective against termites. These days, you don’t necessarily need to shoot chemicals in the ground or tent a house to keep pests out.”

Q: How long will it take you to treat my termite problem?

A: In most cases, we can complete your job within one week.

Q: How do you treat termite infestations?

A: Our termite treatment consists of a chemical barrier that’s applied to the soil adjacent to all the foundations and supports of your home. It leaves a chemical barrier that will last up to 10 years or longer if left undisturbed. If your home needs a complete treatment for drywood termites or wood boring beetles, we can perform fumigation.

Q: Are your prices competitive?

A: Yes. In fact, our prices are slightly lower than most pest control companies in our area.

Q: What’s involved in a home inspection?

A: Our home inspections vary depending on whether we’re investigating a known problem or conducting a general inspection for a real estate transaction. When we arrive at your property, we’ll give you a step-by-step rundown of everything we’re going to do. Sometimes we’ll inspect the whole house, and sometimes we’ll focus on a particular spot. We might have to deface a surface or wall by drilling a hole, but if we do that, we’ll patch it to look like new when we’re finished.

Q: How long after the inspection can I expect a report?

A: Usually, you’ll have your report within two days of the inspection. In most cases, we’ll email a digital version, but we can also mail or fax a hard copy if you’d prefer.