German cockroaches favor warm, humid spaces near food and water — kitchens, behind appliances, under sinks — and Streamwood's a humid continental climate with hot, humid summers, cold and often harsh winters, and significant lake-effect influence near Lake Michigan keeps them active most of the year. American cockroaches, larger and reddish-brown, prefer basements, drains, and utility rooms. A blend of dense urban multi-family buildings and single-family suburban homes, nearly all with basements given the region's cold winters.
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.