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 barrier for preventing infestation of a bed or other item of furniture by creeping insects; 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 of material having a dynamic coefficient of friction less than 0.4; said disc or layer of material interposed between an upper end of each bed leg and an underside surface of a bed base of said bed, characterized in that said disc or layer of material is sized so as to extend beyond the periphery of the upper end of said bed leg; an extended portion of said disc or layer of material forming a substantially horizontal annular underside surface between said periphery and said bed base; said coefficient of friction preventing a creeping insect traversing said substantially horizontal annular underside surface. 
     
     
         2 . The barrier of  claim 1  wherein properties of the substantially horizontal annular underside surface include a low coefficient of friction and resistance to van der Waal forces. 
     
     
         3 . The barrier of  claim 1  wherein said disc or layer is composed of compounds similar to
 polytetrafluoroethylene including compounds commonly known as Teflon®. 
 
     
     
         4 . The barrier of  claim 1  wherein said disc or layer 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. 
     
     
         5 . The barrier 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. 
     
     
         6 . The barrier of  claim 5  wherein flexibility of said inner ring, provides for said dual ring assembly to be retainer 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. 
     
     
         7 . 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.   
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 7  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 harrier 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. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 7  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. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 9  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 fit adjacent wall. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 9  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.