Cockroach Control in Downers Grove, IL

The Cockroaches We See in Downers Grove Homes

The type of roach decides how we treat it, so we start by identifying it.

German cockroaches. About half an inch long, light brown, with two dark stripes behind the head. They live indoors, mostly in kitchens and bathrooms, and breed very fast. A female carries an egg case with dozens of eggs until it is almost ready to hatch. They often arrive in grocery bags, boxes, used appliances or from a neighboring unit.

American cockroaches. Much larger, up to two inches long, and reddish brown. They like warm, damp spaces such as basements, floor drains, sewers and utility areas. They can come inside after heavy rain or when it turns cold. Many people call them water bugs. Across the region, denser Chicago-area properties can see more cockroach pressure, while clay soils and pockets of high groundwater can add basement moisture.

Oriental cockroaches. Dark brown to black and shiny, about an inch long. They prefer cool, damp places like basements, crawl spaces, window wells and around leaky pipes.

Signs of a Roach Problem

• Live roaches, especially in the daytime, which often means the problem is large
• Droppings that look like coffee grounds or black pepper, or small dark smears
• Egg cases, small tan capsules, near cabinets and appliances
• A musty, oily smell that gets stronger as numbers grow
• Roaches when you turn on the light at night
• Shed skins in dark corners

Where Roaches Hide

Roaches like warm, dark, tight spaces near food and water.

Kitchens: behind and under the fridge and stove, inside the dishwasher and cabinet hinges, under sinks, in pantry corners and around small appliances

Bathrooms: under sinks, around pipes, behind the toilet and inside wall gaps

Basements and utility areas: floor drains, sump pits, water heater closets, laundry areas and crawl spaces

Older homes in Downers Grove often have basements and older plumbing, which gives American and Oriental roaches easy ways in. German roaches are more likely to come in on items you bring inside. The typical local home was built around 1974, so aging drains, foundation joints and utility openings deserve attention.

How We Get Rid of Roaches

1. Inspection. We check kitchens, bathrooms, basements and drains, and may place monitoring traps to see where roaches travel.

2. Identify the roach. German roaches need a different plan from American or Oriental roaches.

3. Treatment. For German roaches, we use gel bait in cracks and hinges, along with products that stop young roaches from growing up. For American and Oriental roaches, we treat drains, basements, foundation areas and entry points.

4. Seal and correct. We point out leaks, gaps and moisture problems that need attention.

5. Follow up. German roach problems usually need a second visit a couple of weeks later to catch new roaches that hatched. We check the results and retreat if needed.

How to Prepare for Roach Treatment

• Clean the kitchen and take out the trash
• Empty the cabinets under the sink and the areas we will treat
• Wash dishes and put food away in sealed containers
• Do not use foggers or sprays before we arrive, because they can spread roaches and keep them from taking the bait
• Tell us where you see roaches most often and at what time of day

Mistakes That Keep Roaches Around

Using bug bombs. Foggers push roaches deeper into walls and can spread the problem to other rooms.

Mixing sprays with baits. Spray can repel roaches from bait, so the bait does not work.

Cleaning only the surfaces you can see. Roaches live in hidden spots behind appliances and inside walls.

Skipping the follow up. New roaches hatch after the first treatment, and without a second visit the problem can return.

Why Roaches Are a Health Concern

Roaches can contaminate food and surfaces. Their droppings, shed skins and saliva can trigger allergies and are known asthma triggers, especially for children. Getting rid of them makes your home healthier as well as more comfortable.

Cockroach Control Across Downers Grove

We treat cockroaches in homes and businesses throughout Downers Grove, including ZIP codes 60515 and 60516, and in nearby towns such as Lisle, Woodridge, Westmont and Darien. If you are close by, call us anyway.