AU2006232609A1

AU2006232609A1 - An insect barrier

Info

Publication number: AU2006232609A1
Application number: AU2006232609A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Vu Khai Co; Daniel Jeremy Craven; Rosita Junus; Andrew Martin Scrivener; Graeme Bruce Smith; Kon Euan Wong
Original assignee: Reckitt Benckiser Australia Pty Ltd
Current assignee: Reckitt Benckiser Australia Pty Ltd
Priority date: 2005-04-05
Filing date: 2006-04-03
Publication date: 2006-10-12
Also published as: MY148045A; WO2006106315A1; BRPI0610565A2; GB0506811D0

Description

WO 2006/106315 PCT/GB2006/001225 1 AN INSECT BARRIER Technical Field The present invention relates to insect barriers for covering passages such as 5 holes in walls, drains, air vents and the like, which provide insect access to an area such as the interior of a home. Background Discussion and Prior Art Insects, particularly crawling insects, may use passages, such as drains to gain 10 access to domestic, commercial and industrial premises particularly in those locations where the plumbing does not include an S-bend. During periods of non-use, such as overnight, the insects may enter the drains, for example, from outside the premises and crawl along them in search of food, entering the premises and foraging therein. To prevent such ingress of the insects, the openings may be blocked or sealed with a 15 physical barrier. A barrier that is not sufficiently substantive may be pushed aside by an insect and an incomplete seal may allow an insect to by-pass the barrier. To be effective therefore, a barrier according to the prior art must be dimensioned to each opening. Moreover, in wet areas such as bathrooms, a barrier dimensioned to completely cover a drain would need to be removed before the drain could be 20 effectively used. Summary of the Invention This invention provides a crawling insect barrier which may be used in a variety of locations in which a passage exists whereby a crawling insect may gain access to an 25 area. In a first aspect, the present invention provides a crawling insect barrier comprising a cover member and at least one receptacle for retaining an insecticidal bait, the at least one receptacle being disposed on an inner surface of the cover member in a manner so as to allow insect access to the bait when said barrier is located at least 30 proximate to a passage which provides insect access to an area, wherein the crawling insect barrier is capable of substantially preventing the access of an insect into an area from a passage when the barrier is placed over the passage. In a second aspect, the present invention provides a crawling insect barrier comprising a cover member and at least one receptacle for retaining an insecticidal bait, 35 the at least one receptacle being disposed on an inner surface of the cover member in a manner so as to allow insect access to the bait when said barrier is located at least WO 2006/106315 PCT/GB2006/001225 2 proximate to a passage which provides insect access to an area, wherein the cover member is adapted to allow the passage of water therethrough. In a third aspect, the present invention provides a crawling insect barrier comprising a cover member and at least one receptacle for retaining an insecticidal bait, 5 the at least one receptacle being disposed on an inner surface of the cover member in a manner so as to allow insect access to the bait when said barrier is located at least proximate to a passage which provides insect access to an area wherein the crawling insect barrier is capable of substantially preventing the access of an insect into an area from a passage when the barrier is placed over the passage and wherein a cavity is 10 defined between the inner surface of the cover member and an imaginary plane defined by the periphery of the cover member. In a fourth aspect, the present invention provides a method of preventing insects emerging from a passage which provides insect access to an area comprising locating an insect barrier according to any one of the first to third aspects at least proximate to 15 the passage. In a fifth aspect, the present invention provides a method of attracting and killing insects comprising the use of an insect barrier according to any one of the first to third aspects. In a sixth aspect, the present invention provides the use of an insect barrier 20 according to any one of the first to third aspects to prevent insects emerging from a passage which provides insect access to an area. The term "receptacle" as used herein refers to any means for holding an insecticidal bait composition on an inner surface of the cover member so that the bait is available for consumption by an insect. Suitable receptacles include, but are not 25 limited to, recesses, projections such as a spike or a rod, hollow projections such as a well, fasteners such as one or more clips or straps, cages and adhesive mounts such as an adhesive strip. The inner surface of the cover member, or a portion thereof, may also serve as a receptacle. In this embodiment, the insecticidal bait composition may be disposed on the inner surface of the cover member, or a portion thereof, by spraying, 30 or screen printing for example. In use, the barrier according to any one of the first to third aspects of the invention, is placed over, or proximate to a passage such as a drain opening. Preferably the barrier completely covers the passage, however this is not essential. Advantageously, the barrier according to any one of the first to third aspects need not 35 seal the passage as any insects emerging from the passage will be drawn to the bait. This is because the presence of food and a dark environment are attractive to insects, WO 2006/106315 PCT/GB2006/001225 3 particularly cockroaches, and will promote foraging behaviour. If an insect subsequently pushes past the barrier to exit the drain, it is likely to have ingested a lethal dose of bait. Any discussion of documents, acts, materials, devices, articles or the like which 5 has been included in this specification is solely for the purpose of providing a context for the present invention. It is not to be taken as an admission that any or all of these matters form part of the prior art base or were common general knowledge in the field relevant to the present invention as it existed before the priority date of each claim of this application. 10 Throughout this specification the word "comprise", or variations such as "comprises" or "comprising", will be understood to imply the inclusion of a stated element, integer or step, or group of elements, integers or steps, but not the exclusion of any other element, integer or step, or group of elements, integers or steps. 15 Detailed Description of the Invention The crawling insect barrier of the invention may be fabricated from a variety of materials in a variety of shapes. Also, the number and position of the receptacles disposed on the inner surface of the cover member of the barrier may be varied. However, the barrier preferably comprises at least one receptacle disposed on an inner 20 surface of the cover member proximate to the periphery of the barrier. Such positioning allows easier reach by smaller insects or by larger insects when the barrier is used over a wider opening. Two or more receptacles are preferred and these may be spaced apart or situated together. The barrier may be manufactured in a variety of shapes and sizes to 25 accommodate standard shapes and sizes of passages such as, for example, drains. For instance, for a passage of a substantially square configuration and a size of about 100 cm 2 (10 cm x 10 cm) - 144 cm2 (12 cm x 12 cm) a barrier having a size that covers a planar area of about 144 cm2 (ie with dimensions of 12 cm x 12 cm) may be used. Preferably, the barrier has a size that covers a planar area of about 10-1000 cm 2 , 30 preferably, 50-500 cm2 and more preferably about 144 cm2. It will be appreciated, however, that the barrier of the invention need not be limited to any particular size or shape. The barrier may have a weight of about 2-100g, more preferably, about 5-30g. Even more preferably, the barrier has a weight of about 10-20g. As such, the barrier is 35 heavy enough to prevent insects such as cockroaches from lifting the barrier and thereby escaping into the surrounding environment. Preferably also, each receptacle WO 2006/106315 PCT/GB2006/001225 4 contains about 0.1-10g of bait, preferably about 0.3-5g of bait and most preferably about 0.6-1g of bait. Preferably, the surface area of the insecticidal bait exposed to the atmosphere is about 0.1-10 cm 2 , more preferably about 0.5-5 cm 2 and even more preferably about 1.0 5 1.5 cm 2 . It has been found that the higher the surface area of the insecticidal bait exposed to the atmosphere, the more prevalent is the growth of mould due to the more available surface area of the bait on which mould can grow. As most insects are repelled by moulds, the higher the surface area of the exposed bait, and hence the likelihood of mould growth, the less efficacious is the insecticidal bait in attracting, and 10 therefore, killing of the insect. Of course, the surface area of the exposed bait must be high enough to allow ready access of the bait to the insects. As such, the surface area of the exposed bait is desired to be maintained at a minimum, yet high enough to achieve sufficient attraction for, and access to, insects. In a particularly preferred embodiment, the barrier cover member preferably has 15 a surface contacting portion in the form of a skirt running along the periphery of the cover member. In this way, the peripheral skirt provides stability and increases the area covered by the barrier. The skirt may be broken or continuous, a continuous skirt being more preferred. The shape of the barrier may be selected to satisfy aesthetic or manufacturing 20 requirements such as square, domed, round, hexagonal etc. The barrier may be flat or may be raised (ie., in the shape of a dome) so as to define a cavity between the inner surface of the cover member and the surface on which the cover rests. A domed or raised barrier is better adapted for use where a passage incorporates a grill as it allows more clearance between the receptacles disposed on the inner surface of the cover 25 member and the surface adjacent to the passage on which the barrier rests when the barrier is located proximate to the passage. In a preferred embodiment, the clearance between the exposed surface of the insecticidal bait and the surface on which the barrier rests, is selected to encourage foraging behaviour by the target insect. Accordingly, in one embodiment, the present invention provides a barrier adapted so 30 that the insecticidal bait contained within the at least one receptacle is about 2 to 20 mm above the surface adjacent to the passage on which the barrier rests when the barrier is located proximal to the passage. Preferably, the insecticidal bait retained within the at least one receptacle is about 4 mm to 15 mm, preferably about 6 mm to 12 mm and more preferably about 8 mm above the surface adjacent to the passage on 35 which the barrier rests. The greater distances are especially preferred for larger insects such as American cockroaches (Periplaneta americana).

WO 2006/106315 PCT/GB2006/001225 5 The bait compositions may be provided in a variety of conventional solid or semi-solid forms which are resistant to moisture. In a drain environment, for instance, a high level of moisture can be expected which may adversely affect a bait matrix, making it loose or crumbly. Loss of the bait composition into the drain is undesirable 5 as it reduces the effective life of the product by decreasing the palatability of the food components in the bait and may result in release of the insecticide into the environment. In a preferred embodiment, a hot melt composition is poured into the well-type receptacles and allowed to cool. An insecticidal composition as taught and disclosed in GB patent application no. 0320240.5 may be used. 10 The insecticidal bait comprises at least one insecticide component. Suitable insecticides may be chosen from a wide range of active ingredients, both natural and synthetic. Examples of suitable insecticide ingredients include pyrethroids, neonicotinoids (e.g. imidacloprid, thiamethoxam, dinotefuran), avermectins, spinosyns (e.g. spinosad), 15 hydramethylnon, fluorinated sulfluoramides, organophosphates including diazinon and chlorpyrifos, fiproles such as fipronil, arylpyrroles such as chlorfenapyr, oxadiazines such as indoxacarb, borates, benzoylphenyl ureas, carbamates and hydrazones. Preferred insecticides include organophosphates, such as chlorpyrifos, fiproles, such as fipronil, neonicotinoids such as imidacloprid and dinotefuran and oxadiazines such as 20 indoxacarb. One or more insecticides may be employed. In addition, insecticide(s) may be micro-encapsulated, non-encapsulated or a combination of the two. For example, a combination of non-encapsulated and microencapsulated chlorpyrifos may be used. Biological control agents, such as the bacterium Bacillus thuringiensis or 25 entomophagous fungi (e.g. Beauveria bassiana) could also potentially be used as 'active ingredients' in the present invention. The bait compositions include at least one food material component. The bait composition may also comprise a variety of other ingredients including insect attractants, fillers and materials as required to prepare the composition in a suitable 30 form. Examples of suitable food materials include carbohydrates, proteins, lipids, water, spices and mixtures thereof. Preferred carbohydrates include honey, sugars (including monosaccharides and disaccharides), oligosaccharides, polysaccharides and other complex carbohydrates such as starches, pectins and cellulosic materials. 35 Examples of suitable starches include those found in flours such as, for example, corn flour and potato flour. Other preferred carbohydrate and/or protein food materials WO 2006/106315 PCT/GB2006/001225 6 include soya flour, cereal products such as bran and wheat germ, vegetable products, dehydrated vegetables, dried yeast, egg powder and insect derived materials such as silkworm pupa, eggs and body parts. Other preferred food materials include fats and oils such as fully hydrogenated 5 fatty acids. A preferred oil is soya bean oil. Other fatty materials that may be used include esters, waxes, soaps, phospholipids such as lecithin, glycolipids, terpenes and steroids. We need to also mention the binders, which would be hydrogenated palm stearine and soya flour full fat. As noted above, it is desirable to include an insect attractant to ensure that 10 contact between the insect and bait composition is maximised. Amongst the attractants that may be used are pheromones, yeast extracts, complex foods and volatile materials such as flavour essences and food derivatives including fenugreek, maple lactone, herbs and spices. When insecticides are themselves repellent in nature to insects, an attractant as taught and disclosed in WO 97/00610 (R & C Products Pty Ltd) may 15 suitably be used. Preferred attractants include maple lactone, soya bean oil, malt extract and honey. Where compositions comprise a food material and an attractant, this may be achieved by using separate food material and attractant components or alternatively by using an ingredient that acts both a food material and an attractant. Examples of dual 20 functionality food materials, which also act as attractants, include soya bean oil, spices, yeasts, yeast extracts, malt extracts and maple lactone. The function of each material will of course depend to some extent on the particular species of insects you are looking to treat. For example, soya bean oil, honey, malt extract and maple lactone all act both as food materials and attractants for cockroaches. 25 A preservative may be present to inhibit the growth of microorganisms on the composition, as such growth may potentially repel insects. Amongst the preservatives that may be used are sorbic acid and salts thereof (e.g. potassium sorbate), Dowicilm (Dow-Elanco) and methyl- and propylparabens. In compositions that include fats and/or oils, it may be appropriate to include an 30 antioxidant such as tert-butyl hydro-quinone (TBHQ), butylated hydroxytoluene or butylated hydroxyanisole. Animal taste deterrents may be included to minimise the risk of accidental consumption. Suitable human deterrents include denatonium benzoate (Bitrex TM MSL). When present, a human taste deterrent is suitably used in an amount of from 1 35 to 200 ppm, more preferably from 10 to 50 ppm and most preferably from 5 to 20 ppm.

WO 2006/106315 PCT/GB2006/001225 7 It will be appreciated that the barrier may be provided to consumers with insecticidal bait, or the bait may be separately provided in which case the consumer may deliver the insecticidal bait within the at least one receptacle after purchase and before using the barrier. This may be achieved by the use of, for example, an 5 insecticidal bait in the form of a gel, paste or a spray. Alternatively, the insect barrier may be provided to consumers with insecticidal bait already in the at least one receptacle. In a preferred embodiment, the bait composition is provided as a hot melt composition which is poured into the wells and allowed to cool. An insecticidal composition as taught and disclosed in GB patent application no. 0320240.5 may be 10 used. The wells have a relatively small opening so that the surface area of the bait composition exposed to the atmosphere is limited. This minimises mould growth and allows use of a bait composition containing smaller amounts of preservative. A person skilled in the art will appreciate that if receptacles are selected providing a larger exposed surface area of bait composition, then higher levels of preservatives may be 15 included to inhibit the growth of microorganisms. Suitable preservatives are discussed above. The insect barrier in accordance with the invention may be fabricated from a variety of materials including, but not limited to, plastic, wood, compressed paper or leaves, waxed or polymer coated paper or cardboard, ceramic, fabric or metal. 20 Examples of suitable fabrication processes include thermoforming, laminating and injection moulding. The invention will now be further described with reference to the following non limiting drawings, embodiment and example. 25 Brief Description of Drawings Figure 1 depicts a perspective view from above of an insect barrier according to one embodiment of the invention. Figure 2 depicts a perspective view from below of the insect barrier of figure 1, showing in particular, two receptacles in the form of wells. 30 Figures 3 and 4 depict side elevations of the insect barrier of figure 1. Figure 5 depicts an insect barrier of figure 1 as viewed from below. Figure 6 depicts an insect barrier of figure 1 as viewed from above. Figure 7 depicts a perspective view from above an insect barrier according to another embodiment of the invention. 35 Figure 8 depicts a perspective view from below of the insect barrier of figure 7, showing in particular, seven receptacles in the form of wells.

WO 2006/106315 PCT/GB2006/001225 8 Figures 9 and 10 depict side elevations of the insect barrier of figure 7. Figure 11 depicts an insect barrier of figure 7 as viewed from above. Figure 12 depicts an insect barrier of figure 7 as viewed from below. Figures 13 and 14 depict perspectives view from above and below an insect 5 barrier according to yet another embodiment of the invention, showing, in particular, a series of holes (slots) proximate to, and running along the peripheral skirt of the cover member which allow passage of water through the cover member and into a passage, ie., a drain. Figure 14 also shows a receptacle in the form of a strip for receiving and retaining screen printed or sprayed bait. 10 Embodiments Referring to the embodiment shown in figures 1 to 6, these show a thermoformed insect barrier (shown generally as reference numeral 1) comprising a cover member 3 and two receptacles 5 in the form of wells. The cover member 3 also 15 comprises a peripheral skirt 7 adapted to rest on a surface (shown in figures 3 and 4 as 4) proximate to a passage (not shown) which provides insect access to an area, such as the interior of a home. In use, the barrier 1 is located at least proximate to a passage such as a drain so that at least part of the barrier 1 rests on the surface adjacent to the passage. While it is preferable that the passage is completely covered by the barrier 1, 20 this is not essential as an insect is likely to be drawn to the insecticidal bait within the receptacle 5 when the barrier is located proximate to the passage. Figure 1 also shows two gripping portions 9 on the cover member 3 formed by two indentations in the cover member profile that allows a user to more readily handle, ie., pick up, the barrier 1. Referring to figure 2, the two receptacles 5 in the form of wells are disposed 25 about the inner surface (13 as shown in figure 6) of the cover member 3. It will be appreciated by persons skilled in the art that although the number, position and configuration of the receptacles 5 may be varied, the receptacles 5 positioned proximate to the periphery of the cover member 3 are especially preferred. As can be seen from figures 5 and 6, the two wells are positioned proximate the periphery of the cover 30 member. In the case of a multi-well barrier as shown in figures 7 to 12, the seven wells (see figure 12) are disposed on the inner surface 35 (as shown in figure 12) of the cover member with the majority of the wells (6 out of 7) disposed along the periphery of the cover member 30. For the control of cockroaches, the barrier is adapted to promote foraging 35 behaviour by the target insect by selecting the distance between the exposed surface of the insecticidal bait and the surface 4 (as shown in figures 3 and 4) adjacent to the WO 2006/106315 PCT/GB2006/001225 9 passage on which the barrier rests. For example, for large cockroaches, e.g. American cockroaches, the optimal gap is about 8 mm. The optimal gap will vary with the type of insect to be controlled. For smaller cockroach species and the juveniles of larger cockroach species, a smaller gap would be preferred. 5 As can be seen from figures 3 and 4, the barrier has a raised (or domed) profile thus providing a cavity between the inner surface of the cover 13 (as shown in figure 6) and the surface 4 adjacent to the passage on which the barrier rests. Such a cavity provides a darkened enclosed area which attracts insects and encourages foraging behaviour. The immediate region of the cover member surrounding the wells has a 10 flattened (substantially horizontal) profile from which wells have been thermoformed so that they project perpendicularly from the flattened region of the cover member. By virtue of the flattened profile of the cover member in the region immediately surrounding the wells, two hand grip portions 11 are formed. These further assist in the handling of the barrier, ie when a user desires to pick up the barrier. In addition, the 15 thermoformed wells that project substantially perpendicular to the flattened portion of the cover member results in wells that vertically project from the inner surface of the cover when the barrier rests on a surface proximate to a passage. Such vertical projection assists in the thermoforming process and also in the delivery and setting of a hot melt bait composition in the wells. Such vertical projection also provides better 20 bait access to the insects. Figures 7 to 12 are directed to another embodiment of the invention in which the barrier 10 is injection moulded and comprises seven wells 50 (as shown in figure 2). The barrier 10 comprises a cover member 30 and a peripheral skirt 70. Hand grip portions 90 have been injection moulded which assist in the handling of the barrier 25 (allow a user to readily pick up the barrier). Figures 9 and 10 depict a raised (ie. domed) profile which provides a cavity between the inner surface of the cover member 35 (as shown in figure 12) and the surface (40) adjacent to the passage (not shown) on which the barrier 10 rests. Figures 10 and 11 also show ridges 120 which in this embodiment have a purely aesthetic purpose but can conceivably be in the form of 30 holes thereby allowing water to flow through the barrier. Figures 13 and 14 show views from above and below another embodiment of the insect barrier 100 of the invention fabricated by injection moulding. In this embodiment, the barrier 100 is of a substantially flat profile so that it lies substantially flat across the passage (not shown). By virtue of the peripheral skirt 700, however, a 35 cavity is again provided between the inner surface of the cover 350 (as shown in figure 13) and the surface on which the barrier rests when located at least proximate to a WO 2006/106315 PCT/GB2006/001225 10 passage. The barrier 100 also includes a number of holes 600 proximate to and running along the peripheral skirt 700 of the barrier 100. By virtue of the holes 600, the insect barrier 100 is especially suited for use in drain openings such as in bathroom and kitchen sinks and floors, whereby the barrier allows the passage of water therethrough. 5 Figure 13 also shows the receptacle 500 in the form of a strip mounted along the inner surface of the peripheral skirt 700. Barrier 100 further comprises hand grip portions 900 fabricated from the injection moulding process which assists in handling of the barrier. 10 Example Materials and method: The insect barrier in accordance with the present invention having five receptacles (bait wells), each containing 0.3g of bait was trialled in 4 homes for 2 15 weeks. Each of the bait wells had an exposed bait surface at 5 and 8 mm above the opening of a drain and the bait wells were located at different locations from the cover member periphery. One barrier was placed over a drain in bathroom and the other in the kitchen. Bait consumption and efficacy (cockroach population reduction in home) of the barrier 20 were recorded after two weeks. The bait had the following composition (amounts are in % w/w): Palm Stearine Hydrogenated 32.737 Soya Bean Oil 7.455 Soya Lecithin 4.970 25 Distilled Monoglyceride 1.491 Malt Liquid Extract 12.921 Honey 24.849 Tenox TBHQ (antioxidant) 0.050 Soya Flour full fat 13.945 30 Maple Lactone 0.010 Indoxacarb 53%(DPX MP062 Blend) 0.472 Germaben II-E 1.000 Bitrex 1% solution* 0.100 35 * i.e. 0.O0lBitrex and 0.099% water Results: WO 2006/106315 PCT/GB2006/001225 11 An efficacious anti-microbial (Germaben II-E) was added to the bait formulation to cope with the humid conditions present especially in bathrooms. This was effective in preventing mould growth on 7 out of the 8 insect barriers trialled. It was also found that wet bait did not crumble nor fall out of bait wells. 5 The cockroaches did not have any difficulty eating bait from the receptacles (wells) disposed on the inner surface of the cover member, but preferred those wells near edge (periphery) of the cover member. This was presumably because cockroach access to the bait was easier from the perimeter of the drain, than from those wells situated directly above the open drain hole. 10 Bait was consumed from the barrier receptacles in bathrooms (45, 0, 0, 0% consumption respectively for the 4 homes) & kitchen (100, 45, 8, 1.5% consumption, respectively for the 4 homes). The efficacy (% reduction in cockroach numbers) was 55, 100, 92, 91% after 2 weeks respectively for the 4 homes, giving an average of 87%. Dead and moribund cockroaches were also observed within those homes where the 15 barriers did not seal the drain holes completely.

Claims

1. A crawling insect barrier comprising a cover member and at least one receptacle for retaining an insecticidal bait, the at least one receptacle being disposed on an inner 5 surface of the cover member in a manner so as to allow insect access to the bait when said barrier is located at least proximate to a passage which provides insect access to an area, wherein the crawling insect barrier is capable of substantially preventing the access of an insect into an area from a passage when the barrier is placed over the passage. 10

2. A barrier according to claim 1 wherein the passage is a drain.

3. A barrier according to claim 2 adapted to allow the flow of water therethrough. 15

4. A barrier according to claim 3 wherein the cover member comprises one or more holes that allow the flow of water through the barrier.

5. A barrier according to claim 4 wherein the holes are positioned proximate the periphery of the cover member. 20

6. A barrier according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the at least one receptacle is selected from any one of, or a combination thereof, the inner surface of the cover member or a portion thereof, a recess, a projection, a hollow projection, a fastener such as one or more clips or straps, a cage, a ridge and an adhesive mount. 25

7. A barrier according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the at least one receptacle is disposed proximate to the periphery of the cover member.

8. A barrier according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the cover 30 member periphery is in the form of an annular skirt.

9. A barrier according to claim 8 wherein the annular skirt is continuous or discontinuous. 35

10. A barrier according to claim 9 wherein the annular skirt is continuous. WO 2006/106315 PCT/GB2006/001225 13

11. A barrier according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the barrier is of a substantially flat configuration such that, in use, the barrier lies substantially flat across the passage. 5

12. A barrier according to any one of the preceding claims wherein a cavity is defined between the inner surface of the cover member and the surface adjacent to the passage on which the barrier rests when located at least proximate to the passage.

13. A barrier according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the barrier is 10 adapted so that the insecticidal bait retained in the at least one receptacle is about 2-20 mm above the surface adjacent to the passage when the barrier is located at least proximate to the passage.

14. A barrier according to claim 13 wherein the bait is about 4-15 mm above the 15 surface adjacent to the passage when the barrier is located at least proximate to the passage.

15. A barrier according to claim 14 wherein the wherein the bait is about 6-12 mm above the surface adjacent to the passage when the barrier is located at least proximate 20 to the passage.

16. A barrier according to claim 15 wherein the bait is about 8 mm above the surface adjacent to the passage when the barrier is located at least proximate to the passage. 25

17. A barrier according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the at least one receptacle contains an insecticidal bait composition.

18. A barrier according to claim 17 wherein the insecticidal bait composition is 30 selected from any one of, or a combination thereof, a gel, a liquid, a film, a solid and a semi-solid, granules or foam.

19. A barrier according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the weight of the barrier is about 2-100g. 35 WO 2006/106315 PCT/GB2006/001225 14

20. A barrier according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the weight of the barrier is about 5-30g.

21. A barrier according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the weight of the 5 barrier is about 10-20g.

22. A barrier according to any one of the preceding claims the exposed surface of insecticidal bait composition has a surface area of about 0.1-10 cm 2 . 10

23. A barrier according to claim 22 wherein the surface area is about 0.5-5 cm 2 .

24. A barrier according to claim 22 wherein the surface area is about 1.0-1.5 cm 2 .

25. A barrier according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the insect is a 15 cockroach.

26. A crawling insect barrier comprising a cover member and at least one receptacle for retaining an insecticidal bait, the at least one receptacle being disposed on an inner surface of the cover member in a manner so as to allow insect access to the bait when 20 said barrier is located at least proximate to a passage which provides insect access to an area, wherein the cover member is adapted to allow the passage of water therethrough.

27. A crawling insect barrier comprising a cover member and at least one receptacle for retaining an insecticidal bait, the at least one receptacle being disposed on an inner 25 surface of the cover member in a manner so as to allow insect access to the bait when said barrier is located at least proximate to a passage which provides insect access to an area, wherein the crawling insect barrier is capable of substantially preventing the access of an insect into an area from a passage when the barrier is placed over the passage and wherein a cavity is defined between the inner surface of the cover member 30 and an imaginary plane defined by the periphery of the cover member.

28. A barrier according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the barrier has an size that covers a planar area of about 10-1000 cm 2 . 35

29. A barrier according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the barrier has a size that covers a planar area of about 50-500 cm. WO 2006/106315 PCT/GB2006/001225 15

30. A barrier according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the barrier has a size that covers a planar area of about 144 cm 2 . 5

31. A barrier according to any one of the preceding claims wherein each receptacle contains about 0.1-10g of bait.

32. A barrier according to any one of the preceding claims wherein each receptacle contains about 0.3-5g of bait. 10

33. A barrier according to any one of the preceding claims wherein each receptacle contains about 0.6-1g of bait.

34. A method of preventing insects emerging from a passage which provides insect 15 access to an area comprising locating an insect barrier according to any one of the preceding claims at least proximate to the passage.

35. A method of attracting and killing insects comprising the use of an insect barrier according to any one of claims 1 to 33. 20

36. The use of an insect barrier according to any one of claims 1 to 33 to prevent insects emerging from a passage which provides insect access to an area.