Cockroaches need three things to establish a colony: food, water, and warmth. New Salem's housing stock gives them exactly that. A blend of historic rural construction and newer homes, both shaped by the region's hilly, forested terrain. Combined with New Salem's climate — a humid continental climate with colder winters than eastern Massachusetts, shaped by higher elevation and inland terrain — 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.