Last updated: 2026-10-11
Illinois Pest Control is an independent referral service that connects Illinois homeowners, renters, and businesses with participating providers for cockroach control. In Illinois kitchens, the usual culprit is the German cockroach.
The German cockroach
The Illinois Department of Public Health calls the German cockroach by far the most common roach in kitchens: about half an inch long, bronze-colored, avoiding light, and hiding in cracks and crevices. IDPH notes the crevices behind kitchen drawers and beneath the sink are among their main hiding spots.
What attracts cockroaches
IDPH says German cockroaches prefer warm, moist places where they can feed on human and pet food and decaying matter. Without food and water, adults may die in about two weeks, but they can live on water alone for up to a month. That makes water as important as food: leaky pipes, wet sponges, and pet water bowls all count.
They often arrive in grocery bags, cardboard boxes, and used appliances, and in apartment buildings they travel between units through plumbing and wall voids.
Why cockroaches are a health concern
According to IDPH, fragments of cockroach exoskeletons and droppings act as allergens that can trigger allergic and asthmatic reactions when inhaled. That's a reason to address an infestation promptly, especially in homes with children or anyone with asthma.
Prevention
These steps reduce what cockroaches need:
- Clean up food, crumbs, and grease; don't leave dishes or pet food out overnight.
- Fix leaks and dry out sinks and tubs.
- Store food in sealed containers and take out trash daily.
- Reduce clutter, especially cardboard and paper bags.
- Seal cracks behind sinks, around pipes, and along cabinets.
What professional cockroach control usually involves
A provider inspects to find where roaches are hiding, then typically uses targeted baits in cracks and crevices, sometimes with other treatments and monitoring traps, plus sanitation recommendations. German cockroach control usually takes follow-up visits. In apartment buildings, treating only one unit often isn't enough.
When to call about cockroaches
- You see roaches during the day, which can mean a larger population.
- You find droppings or egg cases under sinks or in cabinets.
- Store-bought products haven't helped after a few weeks.
- You live in an apartment and neighbors have roaches.
- You run a food business, where roaches are a health code problem.
What cockroach control costs
HomeAdvisor's June 2026 data lists cockroach control at $100 to $600, with the average general pest control service at $172. Heavier infestations, apartments, and businesses that need follow-up visits cost more.
- Severity of the infestation.
- Number of follow-up visits needed.
- Building type: multi-unit buildings may need several units treated.
- Commercial kitchens often need ongoing service.
What you can do right now
- Clean up food and grease, and dry sinks overnight.
- Seal food and pet food in containers.
- Fix leaks under sinks.
- Avoid spraying repellents over areas a provider will bait.
- Call and describe where and when you see them.
Questions to ask before you hire
- Is your business licensed by the Illinois Department of Public Health, and what is the license number? Who is the certified technician?
- What species is it, and where do you think they're hiding?
- Will you use baits, other treatments, or both?
- How many follow-up visits are included?
- In an apartment, will neighboring units need treatment too?