Insect infestation reduction method

Abstract

A method of preventing infestation of a bed by creeping insects; said method including the application of a barrier to the legs of said bed; said barrier comprising a disc or layer of material inimical to at least a selection of said creeping insects; said disc or layer interposed between an upper end of each bed leg and the underside surface of a bed base of said bed.

1 . A method of preventing infestation of a bed by creeping insects, said method including the application of a barrier to the legs ( 12 ) of said bed, said barrier comprising a relatively thin disc or layer ( 20 ,  21 ) of material inimical to at least a selection of said creeping insects, a surface ( 26 ) of said relatively thin disc or layer of material having a dynamic coefficient of friction less than 0.4 and said disc or layer of material being interposed between an upper end ( 22 ) of each bed leg ( 12 ) and the underside surface of a bed base of said bed, characterised in that said disc or layer of material ( 20 ,  21 ) is sized so as to extend beyond the periphery of an upper end ( 22 ) of said bed leg ( 12 ), an extended portion of said disc or layer of material forms a substantially horizontal annular underside surface ( 26 ) between said periphery and said bed base and said coefficient of friction prevents a creeping insect traversing said substantially horizontal annular underside surface. 
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said properties of said surface ( 26 ) include a low coefficient of friction and resistance to van der Waal forces. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1  wherein said disc or layer ( 20 ,  21 ) of material is composed of polytetrafluoroethylene or similar compounds; such compounds commonly known as Teflon®. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said disc or layer ( 20 ,  21 ) of material is provided with a central aperture; said aperture sized so as to allow passage therethrough of a securing bolt of said bed leg ( 12 ). 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said extended portion extends radially at least 15 mm from said periphery. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said disc or layer extends radially from said periphery by between 10 and 20 mm. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1  further comprising interposing offset-blocks ( 30 ;  40 ) between a bed head ( 32 ) of said bed and an adjacent wall ( 34 ), said offset blocks including an insect impeding barrier ( 36 ;  42 ). 
     
     
         8 . A kit for providing protection against infestation of a bed by bed bugs and other climbing insects, said kit comprising packaging containing a plurality of discs or layers of a material having a dynamic coefficient of friction material less than 0.4; said discs or layers adapted for interposing between upper portions of bed legs and the underside of a bed base of said bed, characterised in that, in use, each said disc or layer of material ( 20 ,  21 ) is sized so as to extend beyond the periphery of an upper end ( 22 ) of said bed leg ( 12 ) and in that an extended portion of said disc or layer of material forms a substantially horizontal annular underside surface ( 26 ) between said periphery and said bed base. 
     
     
         9 . A bed proofed against infestation by bed bugs and other climbing insects, said bed provided with barriers that each comprise a relatively thin disc or layer ( 20 ,  21 ) of material preventing access to a mattress and bedding of said bed, each said disc or layer of material including surfaces of material having a dynamic coefficient of friction less than 0.4 and being interposed between an upper end of a respective leg ( 12 ) of said bed and the underside of the bed base and being sized so as to extend beyond the periphery of an upper end ( 22 ) of the bed leg ( 12 ) so as to provide a substantially horizontal annular underside surface ( 26 ) between said periphery and said bed legs ( 12 ).