Cockroaches need three things to establish a colony: food, water, and warmth. Millbrae's housing stock gives them exactly that. A mix of older wood-frame Victorian and mid-century homes and newer high-density construction, most without air conditioning given the mild climate. Combined with Millbrae's climate — a temperate climate with minimal seasonal temperature swing, though fog and microclimates vary sharply by neighborhood — indoor cockroach pressure rarely lets up on its own.
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.