Osborn Spray Service has been ridding East Bay homes and business of unwanted insects and weeds for more than 70 years. The family-owned and operated company provides pest control services to combat ant, cricket, flea, cockroach, spider, earwig, weevil and rodent infestations. It also offers tree services (spraying, injection, fertilization) and weed control services for lawns, landscapes and paved areas.

Second-generation owner Dave Osborn says the key to his company’s long-term success has been its philosophy of personal service. “Basically, all pest control companies do the same type of work. The differences become obvious when something doesn’t go right. If we don’t solve a problem in one visit, we’ll be back right away. Customer don’t have to wait weeks for us to schedule another visit.” Mr. Osborn notes that pests aren’t only a nuisance; they can carry dangerous diseases and create other hazards. “You don’t want to wait to have the problem resolved.”

Osborn Spray Service doesn’t employ any salespeople, an approach Mr. Osborn says adds to its reputation for superior personal service. “People want their pest problems resolved, not a sales pitch. When we send someone to look at a problem, they’re focused on how to solve it, not on making a sale. We give our customers price quotes and let them make the decisions. They really appreciate that style of doing business.” Furthermore, when the company is busy, they don’t take on new customers. Mr. Osborn feels it’s better to let a potential customer go than offer them substandard service.

Osborn Spray Service’s employees have a long history with the company. Mr. Osborn’s father established the firm in 1938, and it’s since seen three generations of family service, including Dave’s son, Kyle. “Our senior employee has been with us for 15 years, and the least experienced worker on our team has been here four years,” says Mr. Osborn. “They’re really good people, and they know their jobs.”

Keeping pests out of your house is all about prevention. Household pest infestations can pose potential health and property threats, so it’s important to know how to effectively stop them from entering your home before they do any damage. Consider the following prevention tips:

• Seal cracks and holes on the outside of your house, including entry points for utilities and pipes.
• Keep tree branches and shrubbery well-trimmed and away from the house.
• Keep basements, attics and crawl spaces well-ventilated and dry.
• Store garbage in sealed containers and dispose of it regularly.
• Repair fascia and soffits and rotted roof shingles; some insects are drawn to deteriorating wood.
• Replace weather stripping and repair loose mortar around windows and the basement’s foundation.
• Store firewood at least 20 feet away from the house and five inches off the ground.
• Clean leaf accumulations from gutters and downspouts; they can serve as breeding sites and hiding places for a variety of insects, including earwigs, millipedes, springtails and psocids.
• Don’t allow ivy, groundcover, shrubbery or tree branches to grow in direct contact with your house’s foundation, exterior covering or roof.

If your pest problem becomes too difficult to effectively handle on your own, it’s imperative to call a qualified pest removal professional for additional treatment. Dave Osborn, owner of Osborn Spray Service in Danville, says to hire a company that has a proper license and stays up-to-date on the latest industry trends and practices. “If it’s a member of organizations like the National Pest Management Association (NPMA) or the Pest Control Operators of California (PCOC), that’s a good sign.”

Q: Pests are a nuisance, but are they dangerous?

A: They can be. Roaches are a leading source of childhood asthma. Rodents carry diseases and can chew through electrical wiring, causing fires. If you have a pest problem, you should take care of it right away.

Q: Do you provide termite control?

A: No, but we can recommend some reputable companies if you have a termite problem.

Q: Do you trap raccoons and other animals?

A: No. The animals we focus on are mice, rats, moles and gophers. If you have a problem with raccoons, squirrels or opossums, we can recommend a trapping service.

Q: Are the materials you use safe?

A: Yes. Depending on the situation, there may be certain restrictions, like not being able to touch the treated area until it’s dry. But our processes are safe for children and pets, and you don’t even have to leave the house for most of them.

Q: Do you give free estimates? Is an inspection necessary before getting an estimate?

A: Yes, we provide free estimates. Whether or not an inspection is necessary largely depends on the type of job. If you have an ant problem, for instance, we can usually provide an accurate estimate without a site visit. But if you have a tree problem, we really need to inspect it to find out what we’re dealing with.

Q: Can you give prices over the phone?

A: Yes. We’ll give you our basic rates when you call. Sometimes, an accurate price quote for a specific job requires a site visit, especially for tree work or weed control.

Q: What’s wrong with my tree?

A: We really can’t tell without looking at it. It could be aphids, fungus, leaf lice or some kind of bacteria. We can solve most tree problems, but if we can’t, we’ll offer advice on how to proceed. We won’t sell you ineffective services.

Q: Do you do tree trimming?

A: No, but we can recommend a number of reputable tree trimming services with whom we’ve worked in the past.

Q: Do you do weed cutting?

A: No, but if you have the weeds removed, we can spray to keep them from coming back. It’s best for us to apply weed preventative during winter, so you can spend the summer worry-free.