What to Consider When Choosing a DDD Company That Effectively Solves Insect Problems?
Take the time to have a phone conversation with a potential DDD company.
The company’s employee should conduct a detailed interview regarding your problem.
The pest control specialist should ask questions about contraindications to the use of pyrethroids.
The DDD company’s website should include contact details, NIP, and REGON.
Check the company’s qualifications – training, certifications, and employee education.
The company should have liability insurance (OC) extended to cover professional mistakes.
Ask if the company issues a post-treatment report.
The working solution for the treatment should be prepared on-site in your presence and poured from original containers.
The company should be a member of the Polish DDD Workers Association, which guarantees high service quality.
Do not choose a company that offers suspiciously low prices (the treatment cost determines the quality and cost of the chemicals used and fuel).
Ask many questions during the phone call with the technician.
Ask which biocidal agents the technician will use to solve your problem – manufacturer/brand or chemical name of the insecticide.
Ask about the equipment the DDD company uses.
Prepare the premises properly before the treatment.
Follow the recommendations given during the inspection conducted by the technician before the procedure.
How to Prepare the Premises for Bed Bug Disinsection (Cimex Lectularius)?
- Vacuum and wash the floors (after the procedure, do not wash the floors for 7 to 10 days).
- Do not move anything from room to room, do not pack items in bags, do not hide anything.
- Move furniture 20-30 cm away from the walls, if possible.
- Fully extend the beds, remove everything from bed compartments, and place it on the floor.
- Store all food safely, preferably in the refrigerator, ensuring it does not come into contact with insecticides.
- Hide toothbrushes.
- Remove paintings and mirrors from walls and place them on the floor with the back facing inward.
- Flip chairs, poufs, and armchairs upside down and place them on the floor.
- The procedure lasts approximately 10 to 15 minutes.
- Do not enter the premises for 2 hours after the procedure.
- After 2 hours, thoroughly ventilate the premises (20-30 minutes) and wash tables and countertops – anything that may come into contact with food – then return to normal activities.
- After 4-5 days, wash everything possible at 60°C (bed bugs die at 55°C in all life stages).
Reaction Time After Discovering Bed Bugs (Cimex Lectularius) – Should You Act Quickly? And How Urgent Is It?
The bed bug is the most difficult insect to eliminate. Reaction time is important, but not as critical as with fleas. A day, two, or even five days will not make much difference. Be patient, read up on the issue, and wait for contact. Proper mindset, a thorough interview, and preparing the premises are crucial.
Many clients get frustrated when calls go unanswered or responses are brief, often with a request to call back around 7:00-8:00 PM. This is when we usually finish treatments and have time to sit at the computer, discuss solutions, and propose the right approach.
Aside from speaking with clients, we actively conduct disinsection, disinfection, and deratization treatments, as well as inspections – not just in private apartments but also in businesses and trainings.
If you don’t get an immediate response, please send a text message – we will call back.
Due to many “pseudo-specialists” irresponsibly overusing pyrethroids, insects are becoming increasingly resistant to biocidal agents. Chemical treatments require respect, expertise, and knowledge.
THE BED BUG ERADICATION PROCESS TAKES 7 TO 10 WEEKS AND CANNOT BE SPED UP DUE TO THE INSECT’S LIFE CYCLE.
What Is Freezing and Steaming for Bed Bug Elimination? Are These Methods Effective?
They are NOT 100% effective. They never were and never will be as standalone treatments. Most companies use them as marketing gimmicks. These methods should be used in two cases:
- Extreme Situations
- If dealing with a bedridden or severely ill person who cannot leave the premises for 2-5 hours, depending on the biocidal agent used.
- For elderly individuals, nursing homes, and palliative care centers.
- These methods require precision and time, making them very expensive commercially.
- Proper bed steaming takes 30-40 minutes per bed, and there is no guarantee all bed bugs in every life stage will be eliminated.
- Steaming or freezing an entire apartment takes several hours.
- A properly performed procedure should cost several thousand PLN.
- Integrated Bed Bug Control Method
- This approach combines multiple methods: steaming/freezing + biocidal agents.
- It is applicable for infants, postpartum women, or valuable furniture that would be difficult to dispose of.
- These are premium treatments, requiring specialized equipment and skilled technicians.
- Increasing bed bug resistance to chemicals makes this approach necessary in some cases.
Our company has purchased the latest dry steam generator, producing 4 Bar pressure and reaching 170°C.
REMEMBER: Steaming or freezing alone will NEVER be 100% effective.
Think, research, and call us before deciding on a treatment – we will explain everything.
ULV FOGGING ° LARGE-DROPLET SPRAYING ° FUMIGATION
How do these techniques differ in the fight against pests?
ULV fogging
ULV fogging is a disinsection method that involves distributing a biocidal agent in the form of a cold mist. The acronym ULV comes from English and means “ULTRA LOW VOLUME,” which refers to a very small volume. The technician manually adjusts the droplet size emitted from the fogger.
How does ULV fogging work?
The biocidal agent is dissolved in the working liquid, which consists of water and a concentrate of the biocidal agent; the working liquid is distributed using a cold mist generator; microscopic droplets are formed, which remain suspended in the air; micro-particles of the working liquid droplets reach cracks and crevices where insects hide.
Advantages of ULV fogging: Efficient and effective disinfection method, ability to distribute the chemical agent throughout the entire room, shorter treatment time compared to traditional spraying, lower consumption of biocidal products.
Large-droplet spraying
Large-droplet spraying is a technique for applying chemical agents to surfaces using a traditional pressure sprayer. It is a popular method of disinfection and disinsection.
Application: Controlling insects such as bedbugs, cockroaches, mosquitoes, ticks, ants, silverfish, spiders.
Advantages: Even surface coverage, ability to perform the treatment in hard-to-reach places, surfaces remain almost dry, very high treatment effectiveness.
Fumigation
Fumigation is a pest control procedure using gases, smoke, or vapor. It is a disinsection method that can be used in homes, the food industry, historical buildings, agriculture, and transportation.
What does fumigation look like?
Chemical substances, called fumigants, are dispersed as smoke, vapor, or gas. Gas penetrates the entire structure, eliminating pests, often expanding in volume. Fumigation usually lasts several days. During the procedure, the facility must be sealed, and the surrounding area secured.
THE IMPACT OF BIOCIDAL PRODUCTS ON PETS
When and in what cases should we be concerned about our pets’ health after a disinsection treatment?
A common question asked by you—our potential Clients—during initial phone consultations is concern for domestic animals. Specifically, it’s about the effects of the biocidal products we use during disinsection on the health and well-being of pets.
Before we schedule any disinsection treatment, regardless of the type of insect we’re dealing with, we always conduct a phone interview. We ask several questions to select appropriate biocidal products suited to the conditions present in the Client’s home, including the presence of household members and animals.
Biocidal products, particularly pyrethroids, should not be used around cats, rabbits, guinea pigs, or animals living in aquariums and terrariums. While aquariums and terrariums can be easily covered with foil, a blanket, or cardboard to prevent chemicals from entering, extra caution is required with furry pets to ensure the correct biocides are chosen.
Cats, rabbits, and guinea pigs are sensitive—and sometimes allergic—to these chemicals. This is mostly due to their lifestyle. Cats in particular tend to rub against objects, furniture, walls, and humans. As a result, they accumulate chemicals on their fur, which can be ingested during grooming. This poses a risk to their health.
That’s why our company takes this aspect very seriously and asks targeted questions during the initial call.
When it comes to dogs, biocidal products generally don’t pose a threat. An exception might be so-called “scent hounds,” typically hunting breeds with a strong tracking instinct. It’s important to mention this during the interview, as biocides may accumulate on their noses or muzzles and enter their system through licking.
POLISH ASSOCIATION OF DISINFECTION, DISINSECTION, AND DERATIZATION WORKERS
What is it, and should the DDD company you hire to deal with uninvited guests—crawling or flying insects, rodents—be a member of this association?
ABSOLUTELY YES!!!
Membership in the Association is a guarantee of high-quality service based on solid knowledge, professional experience, workplace safety, honesty, and integrity.
Unfortunately, there are many dishonest companies in the market whose services result in losses for the Client—usually due to poor-quality biocides, improper chemical concentrations, or lack of knowledge among technicians. This ultimately results in ineffective treatments.
The Polish Association of Disinfection, Disinsection, and Deratization Workers (PSPDDD) is an apolitical, self-financed organization bringing together companies working in the fields of pest control and green area management.
The goals of PSPDDD include:
- Promoting the activities of Association Members
- Providing educational initiatives
- Gaining knowledge about modern technologies
- Raising the professional knowledge of Members, including legal aspects
- Cooperating with state authorities and scientific institutions
- Enhancing the professional prestige of Members
- Supporting the cultural and physical development of Members and strengthening community ties
- Representing the DDD industry both in Poland and internationally
The goals are realized through:
- Organizing professional training for Members and other interested parties
- Hosting seminars, field demonstrations, meetings, etc.
- Publishing the PSPDDD Bulletin
- Producing and distributing educational and training materials
- Collaborating on scientific research concerning new disinfection, disinsection, and deratization technologies
- Cooperating with national and international organizations, especially within the DDD industry
- Working with scientific centers in Poland and abroad
- Promoting and implementing new technological solutions in DDD practices, both domestic and foreign
- Preparing and providing staff for organized events and training sessions
- Collaborating with government and local authorities in cases of natural disasters, health hazards, or emergencies
MSc Remigiusz Barczyński
Field Biologist
