German cockroaches favor warm, humid spaces near food and water — kitchens, behind appliances, under sinks — and Berrien Center's a climate shaped by proximity to Lake Michigan and, farther north, genuinely severe Upper Peninsula winters keeps them active most of the year. American cockroaches, larger and reddish-brown, prefer basements, drains, and utility rooms. Housing here ranges from historic furniture-industry-era homes in Grand Rapids to rustic cabins and rural housing in the north and Upper Peninsula.
We start with an inspection to identify the species and the source — sanitation issue, moisture problem, or entry point. Treatment centers on gel bait placed in cracks, voids, and under appliances, not broadcast spraying, since German cockroaches in particular have developed resistance to many surface sprays. A follow-up visit confirms the bait is working and the population is dropping.