German cockroaches favor warm, humid spaces near food and water — kitchens, behind appliances, under sinks — and Iona's a humid continental climate with brief, warm summers and long, brutally cold winters, more severe than the Twin Cities the farther north you go keeps them active most of the year. American cockroaches, larger and reddish-brown, prefer basements, drains, and utility rooms. A blend of older agricultural-area homes and small-town construction spread across this sparsely populated region.
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.