German cockroaches favor warm, humid spaces near food and water — kitchens, behind appliances, under sinks — and Scranton's a humid climate tempered by Ozark foothill elevation, with warm summers and noticeably cooler winters than the flat Delta to the east keeps them active most of the year. American cockroaches, larger and reddish-brown, prefer basements, drains, and utility rooms. A mix of older homes in established river-valley towns and newer construction pushing into the wooded foothills, with basements more common here than in the flat Delta.
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.