Patent ID: 9131675
Filing Date: 2015-09-15
Classification: A01M,A61L,B65D

Abstract:
1. A method for decontaminating a mattress or other effect of bed bugs comprising the steps of: placing the mattress or other effect, which is infested with at least one of the bed bugs, bed bug eggs, and bed bug larvae, in a hermetically sealable container of a size and shape commensurate with that of the mattress or other effect; inserting an appropriate quantity of an oxygen scavenger which in addition to utilising oxygen on activation, generates heat and moisture into the container; hermetically sealing the container so as to prevent ingress of oxygen; and leaving the container for a time sufficient for the oxygen levels to be depleted to less than 0.2% and the bed bugs and their eggs and larvae to be destroyed, wherein the moisture generated by the oxygen scavenger within the hermetically sealed container results in a relative humidity in the container which is sustained at least until meeting the time sufficient for the oxygen levels to be depleted to less than 0.2%.