Frequently Asked Questions

For most North Bay homes, quarterly pest control service provides consistent protection against the seasonal pest pressures in Sonoma, Marin, Napa, and Solano Counties. Properties with previous infestation history, adjacent open land, or older construction may benefit from bi-monthly service. Your technician can recommend a schedule after an initial assessment.

We use modern, targeted application methods designed to be effective against pests while minimizing exposure to people and pets. Your technician will provide specific re-entry instructions and any precautions relevant to the treatment used. If you have specific concerns about a family member's medical condition, let us know before service.

We treat all common North Bay pests including ants (including Argentine ants, carpenter ants, and pavement ants), cockroaches, spiders, fleas, silverfish, earwigs, pillbugs, yellowjackets, wasps, hornets, bees, rats, mice, termites, and wood-destroying insects. If you have a pest not listed here, call us — we can advise.

Preventive service establishes a chemical barrier and treatment regimen before pests enter your home. Reactive service addresses an existing infestation after it has been discovered. Preventive programs are generally more cost-effective and less disruptive than waiting for an active infestation to require intensive treatment.

A standard pest control service covers interior perimeter, entry points, cracks and crevices, plumbing penetrations, garage, exterior foundation perimeter, eaves, and any identified harborage or conducive areas. Specific treatments vary based on the pest targeted and the structure of your home.

Common signs include small piles of wood-colored pellets (drywood termite frass) near walls or windowsills, hollow-sounding wood when tapped, mud tubes along foundation walls or in crawl spaces (subterranean termites), discarded wings near windows in spring, and soft or damaged wood in structural areas. Many infestations are found during professional inspections before visible symptoms appear.

Drywood termites live entirely within wood and require no soil contact. They are found in attic framing, door frames, and furniture. Subterranean termites live in the soil and travel to wood through mud tubes. They cause the most structural damage of any termite species in California. Both species are common in North Bay.

Termites cause an estimated $5 billion in property damage annually in the United States. Structural damage can compromise floor joists, wall framing, roof supports, and load-bearing beams. The damage accumulates silently — often for years before it becomes visible. This is why regular inspections are essential.

Over-the-counter termite products are generally ineffective against established colonies and can delay professional treatment, allowing the infestation to expand. Effective termite treatment requires species identification, colony location, and precisely applied licensed termiticides or fumigant. We strongly recommend professional inspection and treatment.

Localized treatments begin working immediately upon application. Colony elimination through bait systems can take several weeks as the product is transferred back to the colony. Fumigation eliminates all termites within the structure during the treatment period. Your technician will explain the specific timeline for your treatment method.

While not always legally required, most California lenders require a Structural Pest Control (Section 1) Report or Wood Destroying Organism (WDO) Report as a condition of financing. Even when not required, a termite inspection is one of the most important inspections a buyer can commission — termite damage is not covered by most homeowner insurance policies.

Roof rats are the most prevalent rat species in Sonoma, Marin, and Napa Counties — they are excellent climbers and commonly nest in attics and trees. Norway rats are ground-dwelling and found near foundations and drainage. House mice are common in residential kitchens, garages, and stored materials throughout all four counties.

Rodents can enter through any gap larger than 1/4 inch for mice or 1/2 inch for rats. Common entry points include gaps around plumbing and utility penetrations, damaged foundation vents, openings under doors without proper door sweeps, roofline gaps where framing meets fascia, and tree branches or utility lines touching the roofline.

Yes — exclusion is a core part of our rodent control service. After the active population is controlled through trapping and baiting, we identify and seal all entry points using galvanized hardware cloth, copper mesh, concrete, and caulk. Exclusion is what prevents reinfestation and is the step most pest companies skip.

Active infestations typically require an initial treatment visit plus 2–4 follow-up visits over 3–4 weeks to confirm elimination and complete exclusion work. The timeline depends on the severity of infestation and the number of entry points. Exclusion work is performed once the population is controlled.

Yes. Rodents are associated with several diseases, including Hantavirus (transmitted through rodent droppings, urine, or nesting material), Leptospirosis (spread through rat urine), and Salmonellosis (from food contamination). They also introduce fleas and ticks. Do not handle rodent droppings without proper protection — contact us for guidance.

A Wood Destroying Organism (WDO) Inspection identifies damage and evidence from wood-destroying pests including termites, wood-boring beetles, wood-decay fungi, and dry rot. The inspector issues a written report — commonly required for real estate transactions in California.

Most California lenders require a WDO report as a condition of financing. VA and FHA loans almost universally require a clear or conditioned WDO report before funding. Real estate purchase contracts frequently include WDO inspection contingencies. Even without a lender requirement, a WDO inspection is essential due diligence in any property purchase.

The California Structural Pest Control Board-approved WDO report details: Section 1 items (active infestations and infections), Section 2 items (conditions conducive to future infestation), the inspected areas, and inspector findings. The report is filed with the state and is a legally recognized document.

WDO reports do not have an official expiration date under California law, but most lenders require the inspection to be current (typically within 30–90 days of close of escrow). If significant time passes between inspection and closing, an updated inspection may be requested by the lender.

The report distinguishes between active infestations (Section 1) and conducive conditions (Section 2). Required repairs and treatment are typically negotiated between buyer and seller. Redwood Empire can provide both the inspection AND the required treatment and repairs — eliminating the need to coordinate multiple contractors.

Despite its name, dry rot is caused by a wood-decay fungus that requires moisture to grow — not dryness. The fungus breaks down the wood's structural fiber, leaving it soft, crumbly, and structurally compromised. It commonly develops around windows, doors, fascia boards, deck framing, and anywhere wood is exposed to repeated moisture.

Yes — if structural members have been damaged by dry rot, they must be repaired or replaced to restore the structural integrity of the building. Termite treatment eliminates the pest; dry rot repair addresses the physical damage. Redwood Empire provides both, which is a key advantage over pest companies that only treat.

Minor dry rot repairs — a sill plate, door frame, or fascia section — are typically completed in a single visit. More extensive framing repairs may require multiple days depending on scope. We assess and price each repair individually and provide a written scope before beginning work.

Yes — active dry rot fungus can spread to adjacent structural members if the moisture source is not addressed. We identify and treat the affected wood AND address the moisture source to prevent recurrence. Replacing damaged wood without fixing the water source will result in the problem returning.

We offer same-day and next-day appointments for most pest control and inspection services across all four North Bay counties. For urgent pest emergencies — active rodent entry, stinging insect nests near high-traffic areas, or termite swarms — call us directly for priority scheduling.

We serve Sonoma County (Santa Rosa, Petaluma, Healdsburg, Windsor, Rohnert Park, Sebastopol, Cloverdale), Marin County (Novato, San Rafael, Mill Valley, San Anselmo, Fairfax, Tiburon), Napa County (Napa, St. Helena, American Canyon, Calistoga, Yountville), and Solano County (Vallejo, Fairfield, Vacaville, Benicia, Suisun City).

We offer weekend appointments for inspections and certain services. Availability varies by service type and season. Call us to check current weekend availability in your area.

We accept all major payment methods. For commercial service agreement clients, we accommodate invoicing on agreed terms. Contact our office for specific payment arrangements on larger projects.

We stand behind our work. Specific warranty terms vary by service type — fumigation, localized treatment, and structural repairs each have their own warranty provisions. Your technician will explain applicable guarantees before work begins. We have maintained our reputation in North Bay for over 78 years by making things right when problems arise.

Yes — we serve all of Sonoma County including Santa Rosa, Petaluma, Rohnert Park, Windsor, Healdsburg, Sonoma, Sebastopol, Cloverdale, Cotati, and surrounding unincorporated areas. Sonoma County is our home territory — we have been operating here since 1946.

Yes — we serve all of Marin County including Novato, San Rafael, Mill Valley, Fairfax, San Anselmo, Corte Madera, Larkspur, Tiburon, Sausalito, and surrounding communities.

Yes — we serve Napa, St. Helena, American Canyon, Calistoga, Yountville, Angwin, and surrounding Napa County communities.

Yes — we serve Vallejo, Fairfield, Vacaville, Benicia, Suisun City, Dixon, and surrounding Solano County communities.

If you are near the border of our service area, contact us and we will let you know if we can accommodate your location. For properties significantly outside our four-county service area, we can provide referrals to licensed operators in your region.