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 or other item of furniture by creeping insects; said method including the application of a barrier at the legs of said bed or furniture; said barrier comprising at least one disc or layer of material inimical to at least a selection of said creeping insects; said disc or layer interposed between a ground surface and the underside surface of a bed base of said bed or between a ground surface and an upper structure of said furniture. 
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1  wherein at least one said disc or layer has a low coefficient of friction surface; said surface having properties preventing a creeping insect, traversing a substantially horizontal underside of said disc or layer. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1  wherein said properties include a low coefficient of friction and resistance to van der Waal forces. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1  wherein said low coefficient of friction of said surface is a dynamic coefficient of friction less than 0.4. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1  wherein said disc layer is composed of polytetrafluoroethylene or similar compounds; such compounds commonly known as Teflon®. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1  wherein said disc or layer is sized so as to extend beyond the periphery of said bed leg; an extended portion of said disc or layer forming a substantially horizontal annular underside surface beyond said periphery. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1  wherein said disc or layer is provided with a central aperture; said aperture sized so as to allow passage therethrough of a securing bolt of said bed leg. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1  wherein said disc comprises a dual ring assembly; the assembly including an outer ring and an inner ring affixed to said outer ring; the outer ring formed of a substantially rigid polymer with said low coefficient of friction; the inner ring formed of a flexible polymer; each said outer ring and said inner ring provided with a central aperture. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 8  wherein flexibility of said inner ring, provides for said dual ring assembly to be retained on a leg of a bed or other item of furniture passing through said aperture in said inner ring; said dual ring assembly retained on said leg by friction between said leg and said flexible inner ring. 
     
     
         10 . A method of reducing infestation of a bed by climbing insects; said method including interposing insect impeding barriers at supporting elements of said bed; said method including the steps of:
 (a) detaching each supporting element of said bed;   (b) applying said insect impeding barrier to an upper end of said supporting element;   (c) re-attaching said supporting elements to said bed such that said barrier is interposed between said upper end of said supporting element and an underside of said bed.   
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 10  wherein said supporting element is a bed leg; said bed leg attaching to an underside of a bed base of said bed by a length of threaded rod projecting from said upper end of said bed leg; said barrier formed as a disc or layer of low friction material; said disc or layer sized to project radially from a periphery of said bed leg so as to expose an annular surface of said low friction material forming a substantially horizontal underside surface between a periphery of said bed leg and said underside of said bed. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 10  wherein said method includes the further steps of interposing offset blocks between a bed head of said bed and an adjacent wall; said offset blocks including an insect impeding barrier. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12  wherein said insect impeding barrier includes application of a low coefficient of friction tape to surfaces of said offset blocks; said offset blocks configured so as to present one or more upwardly sloping upper surface only, between said bed head and said adjacent wall. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 12  wherein said insect impeding barrier includes a ring of low coefficient of friction material; said ring of material including vertical surfaces projecting radially from surfaces of said offset blocks. 
     
     
         15 . A method of preventing infestation by creeping insects of a bed or other elevated structure; the method operating according to the method of  claim 1 ; said method including the application of a barrier in the form of a gasket or washer to the legs or substructure of said bed or other elevated structure; said barrier comprising a band of a material inimical to at least a selected group of said creeping insects. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15  wherein said band of material is treated with a compound; said compound having properties repulsive to at least a group of said creeping insects. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 16  wherein said gasket or washer is formed of a porous material; said compound impregnated into said porous material. 
     
     
         18 . A disc of material forming a barrier extending generally radially from a periphery of a bed leg between a floor surface and a bed base; said disc of material inimical to traversing by bed bugs and other creeping insects; said disc comprising a dual ring assembly of an outer ring and an inner ring affixed to said outer ring; said outer ring presenting an exposed substantially horizontal underside, annular portion, of low coefficient of friction material. 
     
     
         19 . The disc or layer of material of  claim 18  wherein said disc is provided with a central aperture for placement of said discover a central securing bolt of a said bed leg or around said bed leg.