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Diamond Certified Company Report

Redwood Empire Termite & Pest Control

Diamond Certified Company Report

Redwood Empire Termite & Pest Control

Diamond certified ratings dashboard
CUSTOMER SATISFACTION i
Customer LOYALTY i
Helpful Expertise i
Company Credentials i
  • Liability Insurance
  • License Verification
  • Business Practices
  • Current Complaint File
Phone SURVEY RESPONSES FROM 167 VERIFIED CUSTOMERS i

Angela S.

VERIFIED Redwood Empire Termite & Pest Control CUSTOMER

1 of 167

Quality 10
10 10
Loyalty Yes
CRITIQUE

They were kind and considerate. I would recommend them.

They dealt with a renter and she was extremely, overwhelmingly happy with their service. They explained everything, the whole process and even texted me pictures of the damage, because I am in Arizona, so I was beyond thrilled with that as well.

Jeff S.

VERIFIED Redwood Empire Termite & Pest Control CUSTOMER

2 of 167

Quality 9
9 10
Loyalty Yes
CRITIQUE

Brandy Straub is one of the most knowledgeable inspectors out there. They do a great job.

They have a knowledgeable staff, and they are really good at coming out when I need an inspection done on a property quickly.

Jack B.

VERIFIED Redwood Empire Termite & Pest Control CUSTOMER

3 of 167

Quality 9
9 10
Loyalty Yes
CRITIQUE

I would rehire them.

Nothing in particular

Read All 167 Survey Responses at Ratings View
Diamond certified VIDEO PROFILE
Diamond certified company PROFILE

Brandy Straub, Owner

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.”

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Diamond Certified Companies are Rated Highest in Quality and Helpful Expertise.

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DIAMOND CERTIFIED RESEARCHED CAPABILITIES ON Redwood Empire Termite & Pest Control

COMPANY CONTACT
Service AREA

Sonoma County
Marin County
Napa County
Solano County

SERVICES PERFORMED

Termite & Pest Control
Water Correction & Dry Rot Repair
Termite Damage Repair
VA-Approved Specialist for Termite Inspections for Home Finance & Refinance
Termite Inspections

DIAMOND CERTIFIED RESEARCHED ARTICLES ON Redwood Empire Termite & Pest Control

Redwood Empire Termite & Pest Control used the tarp fumigation method to treat this drywood termite-infested home in Santa Rosa.

Company Profile

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.”

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Company Philosophy

“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.”

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Comparative Summary

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.”

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Industry Info

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 Termites
Subterranean 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.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What type of pests do you treat?

A: I do general pest control, so I cover the complete spectrum, including all species of termites, beetles, moths, weevils, woodlice, earwigs, ants, roaches, rats, hornets, wasps and more. The only thing I can’t handle is bees—they’re sort of an endangered species, so I work in conjunction with local beekeepers to remove them.

Q: How long do I need to stay away from my property when it’s being treated with chemicals?

A: Depending on the time of year, you can usually return to your house after an hour or two.

Q: Are your pest control treatments safe for children and pets?

A: Absolutely. All the chemicals I use are nontoxic and safe for children and pets. I’m sensitive to my customers’ environments and needs, so I make sure to never spray anything that could be touched by a child. As an extra safety precaution, I also don’t spray firewood, fruits, vegetables or trees.

Q: How often do you need to come back after the initial treatment?

A: I usually recommend a quarterly treatment program. All the chemicals I use are water-based and microencapsulated, so they have time-release dates that usually expire after 90 days. Applying treatment every three months is usually enough to keep infestations under control.

Q: Do I have to sign a long-term contract to receive pest control service?

A: No, I don’t require my clients to sign long-term contracts. If you tell me you’re satisfied with the results and don’t want any more treatment, I’ll honor that.

Q: If I don’t get termite treatment, will the termites eventually eat my house down?

A: I’ve never seen that happen. Termites eat portions of the house where wood has become defective. Each board in a house can come from a different tree, and some are more susceptible to termite damage than others. Proportionally, your house is built out of trees that vary in wood material, which is why infestations occur.

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SELECTED PHOTOS FROM Redwood Empire Termite & Pest Control

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DIAMOND CERTIFIED EXPERT CONTRIBUTOR ADVICE & TIPS FROM Brandy Straub

Expert CONTRIBUTOR PROFILE
  • Brandy Straub is owner of Redwood Empire Termite & Pest Control, a Diamond Certified company since 2011. He can be reached at (707) 654-4593 or by email.

Brandy Straub: Dirty Work

By James Florence, Diamond Certified Resource Reporter

WINDSOR — Born into a family of pest control professionals, Brandy Straub cut his teeth doing the dirty jobs no one else wanted to do before expanding his career horizons. “My grandfather started Redwood Empire Termite & Pest Control in 1946,” he recounts. “My father got involved in the business when he was 15 years old, and I started even younger, working after school, on weekends and during summer vacations. Of course, they had me do all the dirty work they didn’t want to do, like going underneath houses and cleaning up rodent remains. Eventually, I got tired of doing that, so I decided to become a termite inspector. In 1981, I got my termite inspection license, and a decade later, I took over the business. These days, I don’t crawl underneath houses as often, but every now and then I still like to get in there and get my hands dirty.”

Today, as third-generation owner of Redwood Empire Termite & Pest Control, Brandy says his favorite part of his job is improving people’s lives. “Homeowners often don’t realize the extent to which pest problems can affect their daily lives. For example, if rodents get into heating ducts, it can actually make the home’s inhabitants sick by blowing germs around each time the heater gets turned on. It’s very satisfying to uncover these types of problems and make a positive impact on my customers’ lives by resolving them.”

A resident of Northern Sonoma County (where he lives with his wife, Cynthia, and five of their six children), Brandy spends his time outside of work on a variety of active pastimes. “We do a lot of entertaining at our home,” he says. “We have a big backyard with a pool and a Tiki bar, so we enjoy having friends and family over. I also like working out and mountain biking. Of course, having five teenagers, I do a lot of running around to sports practices and games.”

In his life and career, Brandy espouses the benefits of paying it forward. “I don’t go to a job with the intention of making money; I go with the intention of helping people,” he explains. “For example, I recently went to the home of an elderly couple who had termites swarming in their backyard. They were on a fixed income and didn’t really have money for treatment, so I gave them an alternative method they could use to knock down the termite tubes and basically treat it themselves. That’s just how I do my business—I try to help my customers save money instead of trying to sell them something they don’t need. As it turns out, this approach is good for business. After all, when you’re honest, you’re more likely to get repeat customers and referrals.”

Ask Me Anything!

Q: What’s your favorite local restaurant?

A: John Ash & Co. in Santa Rosa.

Q: What kind of music do you like?

A: Alternative music from the ’80s, the ’90s and today. Two of my favorite bands are Muse and Linkin Park.

Q: What’s your favorite family tradition?

A: Holidays. We do all the holidays pretty big. For Easter, we do these really elaborate egg hunts with clues and everything. At Christmas, we go all out and over-decorate, kind of like Clark Griswold in “National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation.”

Q: Do you have a favorite book?

A: Not really, but I enjoy self- and business-improvement books. Some of my favorites include “Getting Business to Come to You,” “Rich Dad, Poor Dad,” and anything by Tony Robbins.

Q: What’s your favorite thing to do on a rainy day?

A: I love listening to the rain, turning on the fireplace and watching a good movie or playing some board games with my family.

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Expert articles
  • The Importance of Professional Termite Inspections

    WINDSOR — Like most people, you probably take a preventative approach to checking up on your car, your teeth, and other crucial aspects of your daily life and health. However, even if you’re proactive about these things, there’s another crucial check-up you might be neglecting: professional termite inspections.

    Termites are a constant threat to homeowners in the North Bay Area. Whether drywood or subterranean varieties, when termites infest the wood elements of a home, they can end up causing thousands of dollars’ worth of damage and undermining its structural stability. What’s more, the abundance of rain we received this past winter (2018-19) has increased the threat of subterranean termites. When water collects underneath a home (a common result of untreated drainage problems), it creates an attractive target for hungry subterranean termites and powderpost beetles—not to mention ideal conditions for fungus, mold and mildew to develop.

    The only way to know whether your home has these conditions is to have recurrent inspections performed by a licensed termite professional. Besides identifying problematic conditions, a termite inspector will look for evidence of wood-destroying pests and fungi, as well as issues like leaks and foundation or structural problems. By identifying these issues preventatively, a termite inspection can not only help you save money—it can help save your home.

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Expert video tip
  • Video: The Importance of Recurrent Termite Inspections

    Complete Video Transcription

    WINDSOR — Host, Sarah: When it comes to protecting your home, few steps are more important than having recurrent professional termite inspections. Today we’re in Windsor with Diamond Certified Expert Contributor Brandy Straub of Redwood Empire Termite & Pest Control to learn more.

    Diamond Certified Expert Contributor, Brandy Straub: The benefit of getting a termite inspection on your home. A lot of people go ahead and get their cars cleaned, take it to a mechanic. They get their teeth cleaned, they do a lot of things, but they neglect their home, especially with the rainy seasons that we’ve had this year. We’ve had an abundance of rain, and a lot of homes get water up underneath the house. Water up underneath the house left untreated or uncured will go ahead and lead to termites, fungus, mildew, mold and other problems in the home. Having a proper termite inspection will help identify these things wrong up underneath the home, as well as things inside the home and around the outside. What we look for is we look for wood-destroying pests, termites, beetles. We also look for fungus, decay and dry rot, water-related problems, leaks, foundations, structural problems, and by having a proper termite inspection we can identify these things and help you save your home, and help you save money in the long run against future problems or damages within the home.

    Host, Sarah Rutan: To learn more from local, top rated companies, visit our Diamond Certified Expert Reports at experts.diamondcertified.info.

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Diamond Certified RATINGS ON Redwood Empire Termite & Pest Control
Diamond certified ratings dashboard
CUSTOMER SATISFACTION i
Customer LOYALTY i
Helpful Expertise i

Each surveyed customer was asked, “If you needed any helpful expertise, did this company provide that expertise?” To calculate this score, total “Yes” responses were divided by total responses (excluding those that stated they hadn’t needed any expertise).

Company Credentials i
  • Liability Insurance
  • License Verification
  • Business Practices
  • Current Complaint File
Phone SURVEY RESPONSES FROM 167 VERIFIED CUSTOMERS i

Angela S.

VERIFIED Redwood Empire Termite & Pest Control CUSTOMER

1 of 167

Quality 10
10
Loyalty Yes
CRITIQUE

They were kind and considerate. I would recommend them.

They dealt with a renter and she was extremely, overwhelmingly happy with their service. They explained everything, the whole process and even texted me pictures of the damage, because I am in Arizona, so I was beyond thrilled with that as well.

Jake P.

VERIFIED Redwood Empire Termite & Pest Control CUSTOMER

2 of 167

Quality 10
10
Loyalty Yes
CRITIQUE

They are a decent company.

I just needed an inspection.

Jennifer S.

VERIFIED Redwood Empire Termite & Pest Control CUSTOMER

3 of 167

Quality 10
10
Loyalty Yes
CRITIQUE

Very friendly, straightforward and honest

Upfront, honest and having reasonable prices

Julio C.

VERIFIED Redwood Empire Termite & Pest Control CUSTOMER

4 of 167

Quality 10
10
Loyalty Yes
CRITIQUE

They are reliable, professional and accurate.

Great service overall, responsive and available

Dorothy B.

VERIFIED Redwood Empire Termite & Pest Control CUSTOMER

5 of 167

Quality 10
10
Loyalty Yes
CRITIQUE

Punctual and professional, I am a real estate agent, so I use them for pest reports. They are great.

Personable technicians and quick reports

Paul K.

VERIFIED Redwood Empire Termite & Pest Control CUSTOMER

6 of 167

Quality 10
10
Loyalty Yes
CRITIQUE

They are the very best. I would highly recommend them.

Responsiveness and the quality of the service

Amy K.

VERIFIED Redwood Empire Termite & Pest Control CUSTOMER

7 of 167

Quality 10
10
Loyalty Yes
CRITIQUE

I was very happy with them.

I was happy overall.

Stuart P.

VERIFIED Redwood Empire Termite & Pest Control CUSTOMER

8 of 167

Quality 10
10
Loyalty Yes
CRITIQUE

They do a good job.

Nothing in particular, they just do a good job.

Dean E.

VERIFIED Redwood Empire Termite & Pest Control CUSTOMER

9 of 167

Quality 10
10
Loyalty Yes
CRITIQUE

Fair, honest and straightforward, he didn't try to oversell. He fixed my problem at a reasonable price and I would recommend him.

Straightforwardness and honesty, it's really hard to find that.

Earl D.

VERIFIED Redwood Empire Termite & Pest Control CUSTOMER

10 of 167

Quality 10
10
Loyalty Yes
CRITIQUE

I have used him several times over the years. He is very conscientious and thorough.

Conscientious and thorough

Karen O.

VERIFIED Redwood Empire Termite & Pest Control CUSTOMER

11 of 167

Quality 10
10
Loyalty Yes
CRITIQUE

I try to use them unless they are booked. They have an excellent reputation and are knowledgeable and reliable.

They are extremely efficient.

Patti M.

VERIFIED Redwood Empire Termite & Pest Control CUSTOMER

12 of 167

Quality 10
10
Loyalty Yes
CRITIQUE

They are very friendly, very reliable, family owned and have been in operation for 40 plus years.

Very personable and timely with the estimate and work

Barbara P.

VERIFIED Redwood Empire Termite & Pest Control CUSTOMER

13 of 167

Quality 10
10
Loyalty Yes
CRITIQUE

I like the way their contracts are pretty loose. They are different than other companies. I used to have dogs, and when they would show up, it wasn't a problem.

They do a good job, and they are easy to work with.

Donna H.

VERIFIED Redwood Empire Termite & Pest Control CUSTOMER

14 of 167

Quality 10
10
Loyalty Yes
CRITIQUE

Brandy is great. I trust him and recommend that you use him.

Very trustworthy, and I consider him a friend.

Durelle F.

VERIFIED Redwood Empire Termite & Pest Control CUSTOMER

15 of 167

Quality 10
10
Loyalty Yes
CRITIQUE

The owner is super honest and knowledgeable.

I have worked with them in 3 different capacities; pest inspection, ongoing pest control, and an emergency consultation.

Mikey B.

VERIFIED Redwood Empire Termite & Pest Control CUSTOMER

16 of 167

Quality 10
10
Loyalty Yes
CRITIQUE

Very dependable, and they know how to get in my backyard. I am very comfortable with them being there when I am not home. I don't have to worry. They leave the slip on the door, and you can pay your bill online. It is very easy.

They are not expensive. We were with another company that Redwood took over or bought, I'm not sure which one, but the prior company had an employee that we didn't really care for and was uncomfortable with. I told the new owner that I was not comfortable with him and why, and he assured me that he did not employee him.

Paul F.

VERIFIED Redwood Empire Termite & Pest Control CUSTOMER

17 of 167

Quality 10
10
Loyalty Yes
CRITIQUE

Very dependable, I have been using them for years.

I can't think of anything right now.

Sandy P.

VERIFIED Redwood Empire Termite & Pest Control CUSTOMER

18 of 167

Quality 10
10
Loyalty Yes
CRITIQUE

It's great to use a local business, and they do a good job.

I have only been using them for a short time, but so far so good.

Sarah S.

VERIFIED Redwood Empire Termite & Pest Control CUSTOMER

19 of 167

Quality 10
10
Loyalty Yes
CRITIQUE

Phenomenal service, real people, and very helpful

Their expertise, and they were very thorough.

Susan F.

VERIFIED Redwood Empire Termite & Pest Control CUSTOMER

20 of 167

Quality 10
10
Loyalty Yes
CRITIQUE

I like them. They are a family business, and I only use them. I'm very satisfied.

When you contact them, they come right out.

Read All 167 Survey Responses at Ratings View
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