BE1025925B1 - KIT AND METHOD USING A SYNERGISTIC COMPOSITION TO LAKE AND REMOVE ACARIDAE - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a kit for the controlled migration of Acaridae, comprising a cloth with an average thickness of at least 1 mm, a unit dose applicator and an aqueous synergistic composition that promotes the non-lethal migration of Acaridae. The present invention also relates to a method for non-lethal challenge and migration of Acaridae, consisting of two steps. First, with the aid of the unit dose applicator, a non-lethal dose per area of the Acaridae-attracting composition is applied to the cloth. The cloth is then brought into contact with the surface of the article for at least 30 minutes suspected of having Acaridae alive. Once the Acaridae have migrated into the cloth, the cloth can be removed. The Acaridae can be killed by washing or freezing the cloth.

Description

KIT AND METHOD USING A SYNERGISTIC COMPOSITION TO LAKE AND REMOVE ACARIDAE

Technical area

The present invention relates to a method and a device for catching Acaridae, such as dust mites. The invention relates in particular to a kit and method for causing Acaridae to migrate from a population to a carrier.

Background

Acaridae form a taxon of arachnids to which mites and ticks belong. Dust mites in particular are common in homes worldwide. They reproduce very quickly and can produce significant amounts of allergens in their excrement. Therefore, dust mites cause allergic symptoms (see Colloff 2009 for an overview of dust mites), such as itchy, watery eyes, atopic dermatitis (eczema), asthma, allergic rhinitis, persistently stuffy nose or ears. Allergies due to dust mites can develop into fatal symptoms.

Two species are mainly responsible for many allergies: the European house dust mite (Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus) and the American house dust mite (Dermatophagoides farinae) are two different species, but are not specifically limited to Europe or North America and are common worldwide. Mites thrive in the environment provided by beds, covers, blankets, pillows, mattresses, carpets, armchairs, pillows, upholstered items used by people, including in places such as teddy bears, pillows and blankets for dogs, cats and other pets, and homes in general.

A problem with sites with living mites is how to reduce allergic reactions, i.e., how to prevent or treat allergic reactions that users, people, and pets can suffer from coming into contact or in the vicinity of such contaminated sites. Various sanitary methods are available for removing and / or killing Acaridae, such as dust mites. The most common and simple way to remove Acaridae consists of

BE2018 / 5846 vacuuming. This method merely removes but does not kill Acaridae and is dependent to some extent on the equipment used, and relies in particular on collection bags that prevent the spread of Acaridae, and more importantly the allergens derived from Acaridae. In addition, not all surfaces containing Acaridae are suitable to be treated in this way.

Another way to deal with the infestation of Acaridae is by applying pesticides. Although this method effectively kills Acaridae and therefore prevents its spread, the use of inherently toxic pesticides in a domestic environment is often not considered acceptable. However, these methods only kill the Acaridae, but do not remove them or their allergens. In addition, just as with vacuuming: not all surfaces can be acceptable or are acceptable to be treated in this way.

A common drawback of all conventional sanitation methods for Acaridae has been access to date in combination with safety and efficacy. For example, mattresses usually have a considerable thickness, such that vacuuming them or applying pesticides can only lead to superficial treatment. Since dust mites can remain in the core of the mattress, such superficial treatment often proves to be not very effective. In recent years, mite lures have been combined with pesticides to at least partially meet accessibility requirements (JP2000336007).

In view of the above, there is a need to improve sanitary resources and to provide further methods for effective removal of Acaridae, such as dust mites. In particular, there is a need for methods and products that must be safe for human health, cost-effective, easily applicable, and environmentally safe.

Various terpenes and terpenoids have been described as acaricide, Acaridae attractant and Acaridae inhibitor, depending on the substance and concentration in which they were used. A composition of a pesticidal terpene mixture and a biological pesticide, using limonene as one of the active compounds, is described in WO2014029747.

In view of the above, there is a need for well-defined compositions that enable controlled luring and migration of Acaridae. In particular, these compositions serve a long shelf life and

BE2018 / 5846 to be highly effective and safe for human health and the environment and to be cost-effective.

Summary of the invention

The present invention comprises a kit for the controlled migration of Acaridae, comprising a cloth with an average thickness of at least 1 mm, a unit dose applicator and an aqueous synergistic composition that promotes the non-lethal migration of Acaridae. A synergistic composition is provided herein to lure Acaridae into a trap, followed by the removal of the trap and the removal of the trapped Acaridae, if desired. The fall device consists of a cloth impregnated with a solution that is attractive to Acaridae. In another embodiment, the present invention provides a method for effective elimination of Acaridae such as dust mites.

Accordingly, in one aspect the invention relates to a method for luring and retaining Acaridae, comprising the steps of:

(a) applying a non-lethal dose per area of the Acaridae-attracting composition to the cloth using the unit dose applicator;

b) contacting the cloth with the surface of the article suspected of having Acaridae alive. Preferably contact for at least 0.5 hours. More preferably at least 1 hour.

wherein the non-lethal dose per surface lures Acaridae and promotes migration from their habitat toward the cloth.

The aqueous synergistic solution comprises a lure for luring Acaridae, wherein the lure is limonene, one or more attractant enhancing agents selected from the group of citronellal, linalool, geranyl acetate, caryophyllene, caryophyllene oxide and / or nerylacetate, and an emulsifier, preferably polysorbate .

In another embodiment, the attractant and the enhancing agents are of natural origin, preferably comprising the essential oils of Melissa officinalis and / or Cymbopogon citratus and / or Cymbopogon flexuosus citraliferum.

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In a further embodiment, the article presumably containing Acaridae is subjected to drying prior to contacting with the cloth. The inventors have unexpectedly found that if, for example, a mattress is dried prior to applying the cloth, the amount of captured Acaridae has increased.

In another aspect, the invention relates to a method for eliminating Acaridae, comprising the steps of:

i) performing the method as described above; and ii) removing the cloth from the article that probably contains Acaridae.

In one embodiment, this method further comprises the step of washing or freezing the cloth after step ii). Both washing and freezing will lead to the killing of the Acaridae in a non-toxic way. This method makes it possible to reuse the cloth as soon as the Acaridae have been removed.

According to the present invention, a method for removing Acaridae is provided which is not dependent on toxic substances, such as acaricides. Acaridae are lured into the cloth by the bait composition, after which the cloth containing the Acaridae is removed, effectively removing the Acaridae. The present method is suitable for use on a variety of articles or surfaces containing Acaridae that are more difficult to treat in the conventional manner or for which the use of pesticides is not preferred.

In the present invention, the Acaridae-luring composition is non-toxic to humans, but also non-lethal to Acaridae. This is important for the effectiveness of the fall, since it has been shown that some Acaridae release an alarm pheromone in need. These pheromones act as a repellent that warns other Acaridae and prevents further migration into the cloth. Even if lethal removal of Acaridae is the goal, killing Acaridae while the fall makes contact with the habitat of the Acaridae has a negative impact on the efficacy of the fall.

In one embodiment, the non-lethal dose per area of the attractant limonene is between 10 ^-2 pl / m ² and 10 ⁴ pl / m ² , preferably between 10 ^-2 pl / m ² and 10 ² μ / m ² . The inventors have surprisingly found that these doses are very good

BE2018 / 5846 are suitable for luring Acaridae, in contrast to higher doses that are known in the art to reject or even kill Acaridae.

In another embodiment, the non-lethal dose per surface area of the essential oils of Melissa officinalis and / or Cymbopogon citratus and / or Cymbopogon flexuosus citraliferum is between 10 ^-2 pl / m ² and 10 ⁴ pl / m ² , preferably between 10 ^-2 pl / m ² and 10 ² pl / m ² . The inventors have surprisingly found that these doses are very well suited to luring Acaridae, in contrast to higher doses that are known in the art to repel or even kill Acaridae.

In one aspect the invention also relates to a composition comprising between 10 ^-2 and 10 ² pl / l, preferably between 10 ^-1 and 10 pl / l, more preferably between 5 x 10 ^-1 and 5 pl / l, and most preferably about 1 µl / l of essential oils from Melissa officinalis and / or Cymbopogon citratus and / or Cymbopogon flexuosus citraliferum, the concentrations preferably refer to the combined concentrations.

In one embodiment, the cloth is a non-woven cloth, preferably felt. All types of non-woven textile according to the invention can advantageously be used. Felt in particular has proven to be very suitable for catching and retaining the Acaridae.

In another embodiment, the cloth comprises at least 10% wool, preferably at least 20% wool. The inventors have surprisingly found that a cloth comprising wool improves the capture of Acaridae. Without wishing to be bound by theory, the inventors assume that the texture of wool makes it better possible for Acaridae to adhere to and be absorbed in the cloth, such that the retention of the Acaridae increases.

In a further embodiment, the cloth has an average thickness of at least 1 mm, preferably at least 2 mm. In yet another embodiment, the cloth has an average density of between 5 mg / cm 2 and 70 mg / cm 2, preferably between 15 mg / cm 2 and 50 mg / cm 2. The inventors have surprisingly found that a cloth of this thickness and / or density further improves the retention of Acaridae.

In another embodiment, the cloth has values in the CIELCH color scale of L * <50; C *> 50; and 240 <h ° <300; and is preferably dark blue.

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It has surprisingly been found that in particular dark colors, such as dark blue, attract more Acaridae than lighter colors.

In one embodiment, the Acaridae to be caught according to the invention are selected from Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus and Dermatophagoides farinae.

The above and further aspects and preferred embodiments of the invention are described in the following paragraphs and in the appended claims. The subject matter of the appended claims is hereby specifically included in this description.

Description of the figures

Figure 1 shows the influence of a kit for catching Acaridae on the symptoms of dust mite allergy.

Detailed description of the invention

The singular forms "a," "an," and "it," as used herein, include both singular and plural referents unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.

The terms "comprising", "includes" and "consisting of" as used herein are synonymous with "containing" and "contains", are inclusive or not clearly defined and do not include additional, unnamed members, elements or process steps from. It will be appreciated that the terms "comprising", "includes" and "consisting of" as used herein include the terms "consisting of" and "consists of" as well as the terms "essentially consisting of" and " consists essentially of '.

The indication of numerical ranges by means of endpoints contains all numbers and fractions that fall within the respective ranges, as well as the stated endpoints.

The term "about" as used herein when referring to a measurable value such as a parameter, an amount, a duration, and the like, is intended to include variations of +/- 20% or less, preferably +/- 10% or less, more preferably +/- 5% or less and even more preferably +/- 1% or less from and from the stated value, insofar as such variations are suitable

BE2018 / 5846 to perform in the described invention. It is to be understood that the value to which the 'approximately' determination refers itself is also described specifically and preferably.

Although the terms "one or more" or "at least one", such as one or more or at least one member / members of a group of members, are self-evident, the terms include, by way of further explanation, a reference to each of the members, or to any two or more members, such as, for example, every> 3,> 4,> 5,> 6 or> 7 members and to all members.

All references cited in the present description are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety. In particular, the teachings from all references specifically cited herein are incorporated by reference.

Unless defined otherwise, all terms used in the description of the invention, including technical and scientific terms, have the meaning as generally understood by one skilled in the art to which this invention belongs. Definitions of terms are included by way of further explanation to better understand the teachings of the present invention.

Various aspects of the invention are more fully defined in the following passages. Any aspect so defined can be combined with any other aspect or aspects, unless clearly stated otherwise. In particular, any characteristic indicated as preferable or advantageous can be combined with any other characteristic or other characteristics that are indicated as preferable or advantageous.

Throughout this description, the reference to "one embodiment" or "an embodiment" means that at least one embodiment of the present invention has a particular property or structure or feature, described in connection with the embodiment. Therefore, the terms "in one embodiment" or "in an embodiment" at different places in this description do not necessarily refer to, but may refer to, the same embodiment. Furthermore, the specific features, structures or properties may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments, as will be apparent to one skilled in the art of this disclosure. Although some herein

BE2018 / 5846 contain some but no other features of other embodiments, it is intended that combinations of features of different embodiments fall within the scope of the invention and form different embodiments, as those skilled in the art will appreciate. For example, in the appended claims, any of the claimed embodiments can be used in any combination.

In the following detailed description of the invention, reference is made to the accompanying drawings which form a part thereof and which are only shown by way of illustration of specific embodiments in which the invention can be practiced. It is to be understood that other embodiments may be used and structural or logical changes may be made without departing from the scope of the present invention. The following detailed description is, therefore, not to be taken in a limiting sense, and the scope of the present invention is defined by the appended claims.

The present invention relates to methods, products, compositions and kits for enticing, capturing, removing and / or eliminating Acaridae, particularly in a domestic environment. The present invention also relates to the use of such methods, products, compositions and kits for enticing, capturing, removing and / or eliminating Acaridae, in particular in a domestic environment.

It will be understood that the parameter ranges or values as defined herein refer to the average parameter range or the average parameter value of the fabric, so that non-uniform parameter ranges or values are also provided. However, the parameter range or the parameter value of the cloth, such as thickness, porosity, density, color, as well as concentration of the compositions, etc., are preferably essentially uniform. Preferably, these parameters vary no more than 25%, preferably no more than 10% of the average values.

The term "synergistic solution" as used herein refers to a multi-component solution that has a pronounced, improved effect greater than the sum of the individual effects of the components.

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The terms "capture" or "hold" as used herein in conjunction with Acaridae do not necessarily mean that the Acaridae are irreversibly caught. In a particular embodiment, the Acaridae lured into the cloth can freely enter and leave the cloth. However, the bait composition applied to the cloth serves to lure, as well as to hold or retain the Acaridae in the cloth.

The term "Acaridae," as used herein, refers to a subclass of arachnids that include mites and ticks and is also called Acari (or Acarina). The Acaridae preferably belong to the order of Acariformes. More preferably, the Acaridae belong to the Pyroglyphidae family. Even more preferably, the Acaridae belong to the genus Dermatophagoides. Most preferably, the Acaridae are dust mites or house dust mites. This includes the American dust mite and the European dust mite. Accordingly, the Acaridae used in a preferred embodiment are selected from the group consisting of Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus (the European dust mite) and Dermatophagoides farinae (the American dust mite). It will be appreciated that while the terms European and American generally refer to the geographic origin or prevalence of these mites, the preferred mites of the invention are not geographically limited, since Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus and Dermatophagoides farinae are not exclusively to Europe or North America be limited.

The term "felt" refers to a non-woven cloth or textile that is manufactured by matting, compressing and pressing synthetic and / or non-synthetic fibers.

The term "essential oil" is known in the art. For further explanation, an essential oil is a concentrated hydrophobic liquid containing volatile aroma compounds from plants. Essential oils are also called volatile oils, essential oils or aromatic oils, or simply the "oil of" the plant from which they were extracted. Essential oils of Melissa officinalis, Cymbopogon citratus and Cymbopogon flexuosus citraliferum are known in the art and are readily available from a variety of commercial sources.

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The term "terpenes," as used herein, refers to a large and diverse class of organic compounds made by a variety of plants and some insects, including Acaridae. Terpenes are biosynthetically derived from units of isoprene, which has the molecular formula C5H8. The basic molecule formula of terpenes consists of multiples thereof, (C5 H8) n, where n is the number of coupled isoprene units. This is called the biogenetic isoprene rule or the C5 rule. "Monoterpenes" consist of two isoprene units and have the molecular formula C10H16. "Sesquiterpenes" consist of three isoprene units and have the molecular formula C15H24. Terpenes can be (multi) cyclical.

The term "terpenoids," as used herein, refers to a diverse class of organic compounds that are similar to terpenes, but contain functional groups. Terpenes are hydrocarbons, while terpenoids contain additional functional groups. Terpenoids can be multicyclic.

The term "limonene" as used herein refers to 1-methyl-4- (1-methylethenyl) -cyclohexene. Limonene is a chiral molecule, and biological sources produce one enantiomer: the main industrial source, citrus fruit, contains D-limonene ((+) - limonene), which is the (R) enantiomer (CAS number: 598927-5). Limonene, as used herein, can be D-limonene as well as the racemic mixture.

The term "pinene," as used herein, refers to a bicyclic monoterpene compound of the formula (1S, 5S) -2,6,6-trimethylbicyclo [3.1.1] hept2-one. There are two structural isomers of pinene that occur in nature: apines (CAS number: 80-56-8) and β-pinene, both of which are chiral. Pines as used herein can be α-pines, β-pines or a mixture thereof, such as a 50-50 mixture. Preferably, pinene is alpha-pinene.

The term "citronellal," as used herein, refers to a monoterpenoid with theUPAC name of 3,7-dimethyloct-6-en-1-al and a molecular formula (C 10 H 15 O). The citronellal CAS number is 106-23-0.

The term "citronellol," as used herein, refers to a monoterpenoid with theUPAC name of 3,7-dimethyloct-6-en-1-ol and molecular formula (C10 H20 O). The CAS number of citronellol is 106-22-9.

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The term "linalol" as used herein refers to two enantiomers of a naturally occurring terpene alcohol with theUPAC name 3,7-dimethyl-1,6-octadiene-3-ol. The CAS number of linaloöl is 78-70-6. Linaloöl has a stereogenic center at C3 and therefore there are two stereoisomers: (/?) - (-) - linaloöl is also called licareol and (S) - (+) - linaloöl is also called coriandrol. Linalool, as used herein, can be licareol, coriandrol, or a mixture of both, such as a 50-50 mixture

The term "geranylacetate," as used herein, refers to a monoterpene of theUPAC name 3,7-dimethyl-2,6-octadiene-1-ylacetate and molecular formula (C12 H20 O2). The CAS number of geranyl acetate is 105-87-3.

The term "geraniol," as used herein, refers to a monoterpenoid with the UPAC name (Z) -3,7-dimethyl-2,6-octadiene-1-ol and molecular formula (C10 H18 O). The CAS number of geraniol is 106-24-1.

The term "nerol acetate" or "nerylacetate," as used herein, refers to a monoterpene with the UPAC name (2Z) -3,7-dimethyl-2,6-octadiene-1-ylacetate and molecular formula (C 12 H 20 O 2). The CAS number of nerylacetate is 141-12-8.

The term "nerol," as used herein, refers to a monoterpenoid with the UPAC name (Z) -3,7-dimethyl-2,6-octadiene-1-ol and molecular formula (C10 H18 O). The CAS number of nerol is 106-25-2.

The term "caryophyllene" or "(-) - β-caryophyllene" as used herein is a natural bicyclic sesquiterpene with the IUPAC name (1R, 4E, 9S) -4,11,11-trimethyl-8-methylidenebenycyclo [7.2. 0] undec-4-ene and molecular formula (C15 H24). The CAS number of caryophyllene is 87-44-5.

The term "caryophyllene oxide" as used herein refers to (1R, 6R, 1OS) 4R, 12,12-trimethyl-9-methylene-5-oxatricyclo [8.2.0.04.6] dodecane (CAS number: 1139-30-6 ). Caryophyllene oxide is a metabolite of caryophyllene, where the olefin has become an epoxide.

The term "polysorbate," as used herein, refers to derivatives of polyethoxylated sorbitane, esterified with fatty acids, which are known to those skilled in the art.

BE2018 / 5846 are known in the art as emulsifiers. The term "polysorbate 20" or "polyoxyethylene (20) sorbitan monolaurate" refers to a non-ionic polysorbate-type surfactant formed by the ethoxylation of sorbitan for the addition of lauric acid. The ethoxylation process provides the molecule with 20 repeating units of polyethylene glycol; in practice, these are divided into 4 different chains, which leads to a commercial product that contains a range of chemical entities. (CAS number 9005-64-5)

The term "citral" as used herein refers to 3,7-dimethyl-2,6-octadienal, also called lemonal (CAS number: 5392-40-5), and is one of, or a mixture of, a pair of terpenoids with the molecular formula C 10 H 10 O. The two compounds are double bond isomers. The E isomer is called geranial or citral A. Ziso is called neral or citral B. Citral as used herein can be neral, geranial or a mixture of both, such as a 50-50 mixture. Citral is known for its Acaridae-resistant and acaricidal properties at high concentrations. At low concentrations it is known as an Acaridae-luring agent.

The 'reference mortality value' is a measure of the number of deaths in a certain population, converted to the size of that population, per unit of time in a reference system. Preferably, this reference system is a system without any unusual influences, including but not limited to, temperature fluctuations, mechanical, chemical or biological treatments. The 'treatment mortality value' is a measure of the number of deaths in a certain population, converted to the size of that population, per unit of time in a system that is treated with one or more chemical compounds.

The term "non-lethal", as used herein, refers to a ratio between the treatment mortality value and the reference mortality value lower than 5. Treatments or substances that lead to a ratio higher than 5 are called "lethal."

The term "migration," as used herein, means causing Acaridae to move from one place where they live to another place. The term "migrated population" is defined as the ratio between the population in the latter site and the initial population in the former site. In other words: the 'migrated population' is the fraction of the population that migrated.

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The term "luring," as used herein, means directed migration: causing Acaridae to move from one place where they live to another place, where the source of allure is located. In one embodiment, the source of allure is a lure. In one embodiment, seduction does not mean repellent, immobilizing or killing.

The term "migration value" or "migration rate", as used herein, is defined as the distance from the center of the Acaridae population to the triggering source, divided by the time required for a relative portion of the population, preferably 50%, to reach the source of allure. The migration value can only be used as a quantitative measure in well-controlled experiments. Unless stated otherwise, the migration value will only be treated as a qualitative measure.

The present invention relates to methods, products, kits and in particular compositions for enticing, catching, removing and / or eliminating Acaridae, in particular in a domestic environment. The present invention also relates to the use of such methods, products, compositions and kits for enticing, capturing, removing and / or eliminating Acaridae, in particular in a domestic environment.

To that extent, a method is described for luring and / or retaining Acaridae, comprising the steps of:

a) providing a cloth with spacings that are sufficiently large and with a thickness that is large enough to hold Acaridae; and bl) applying to the cloth an aqueous synergistic solution comprising a non-lethal dose per surface area of an aqueous solution of a bait, wherein the bait is limonene, multiple seducing agents, preferably citronellal, linalool, geranyl acetate, caryophyllene, caryophyllene oxide and / or nerylacetate, and an emulsifier, preferably polysorbate.

b2) applying to the cloth an aqueous synergistic solution comprising a non-lethal dose per surface area of an aqueous solution of the essential oils of Melissa officinalis and / or Cymbopogon citratus and / or Cymbopogon flexuosus citraliferum, preferably Melissa officinalis and Cymbopogon flexuosus citraliferum, and an emulsifier, preferably polysorbate.

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In essence, a cloth is provided which is to be placed on a surface of an object in which Acaridae live. Before or after placing the cloth on the surface, a composition that lures Acaridae is applied to the cloth. After applying the impregnated cloth to the surface, Acaridae are lured by the bait composition, they will migrate into the cloth, and are thus effectively eliminated from the article. It is to be understood that the cloth, as used herein, has gaps and thicknesses that are large enough to hold Acaridae. To that end, the cloth is to some extent porous, so that Acaridae can migrate into the cloth. The skilled person will understand that depending on the type of Acaridae to be caught, the porosity and thickness of the cloth can be changed accordingly, since the size of Acaridae can depend on the species. For example, pore sizes of the cloth can be less than 1 mm to several mm, such as 1 mm, 2 mm, 3 mm, 4 mm, 5 mm or more. The thickness of the cloth can vary accordingly. For example, the thickness may be up to 1 mm or may be more, such as 1 mm, 2 mm, 3 mm, 4 mm, 5 mm or more. Preferably, the thickness of the cloth is at least about 1 mm. More preferably, the thickness of the cloth is between about 1 mm and 5 mm, such as between 1 mm and 4 mm, or between 1 mm and 3 mm. In a preferred embodiment, the thickness of the cloth is 2 mm or about 2 mm.

The cloth as used herein preferably has a density between (approximately) 5 mg / cm ² and 70 mg / cm ² , such as between (approximately) 10 mg / cm ² and 60 mg / cm ² , more preferably between (approximately) 15 mg / cim and 50 mg / cm 2. In a preferred embodiment, the cloth has a density of 20 mg / cm 2 or about 20 mg / cm 2. In a further embodiment, the cloth has a density of 10 mg / cm 2 or about 10 mg / cm 2.

Preferably, the cloth as used herein has a dark color, such as dark blue. Colors can be measured with a variety of techniques that are known in the art. By way of example, and without limitation, color can be determined based on the brightness, hue, and saturation (or chroma) parameters. These parameters can be determined individually or together according to the CIELCH color scale, where L * (lightness or brightness), C * (chroma or saturation) and h ° (hue) are the parameters that represent a polar color space. Preferably, L * <50, such as L * <60, L * <70, L * <80 or L * <90, representing darker colors. In one embodiment, C * is> 50, such as

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C *> 60, C *> 70, C *> 80 or C *> 90, which represents brighter colors. In another embodiment, 180 is <h ° <360, such as 200 <h ° <340, 220 <h ° <320, or 200 <h ° <300, representing blue colors.

The cloth as used herein is preferably a cloth or textile, preferably a flexible cloth or textile. More preferably, the cloth is a non-woven cloth or textile, such as a flexible non-woven cloth or textile. In a preferred embodiment, the cloth is felt. Felt is known in the art. For further explanation, the term "felt," as used herein, refers to a non-woven cloth or textile made by matting, compressing, and pressing synthetic and / or non-synthetic fibers.

According to the invention, the cloth can be completely or partially synthetic. Alternatively, the cloth can be made entirely or partially from natural materials. In one embodiment the cloth comprises or consists of polyester. In another embodiment, the cloth comprises or consists of viscose. In a further embodiment the cloth comprises or consists of wool. In a preferred embodiment the cloth comprises at least 10% wool (preferably based on weight), such as (approximately) 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40, 45, 50, 55, 60, 65, 70, 75, 80, 85, 90, 95 or 100% wool. Preferably the cloth comprises at least (about) 20% wool. More preferably, the cloth comprises at least 30% wool, such as 30% wool or about 30% wool. The wool as described herein can be obtained from any animal producing wool, such as, without limitation, sheep and certain other animals, including goat cashmere, goat mohair, musk oxen qiviut, vicuna, alpaca, camel wool from camel family animals , and angora of rabbits. The wool is preferably cloth wool. In a preferred embodiment, the cloth comprises 30% wool and 70% viscose.

In another embodiment, the cloth as used herein is any cloth whatsoever, including but not limited to bedding or bed linen. A technical cloth, being a cloth optimized for luring Acaridae, has clear advantages for this purpose. As such, technical cloths are mentioned in several preferred embodiments of the invention. However, the present invention is not limited to technical fabrics. In fact, almost any cloth will suffice to lure Acaridae, albeit with lower efficiency.

In a preferred embodiment, the cloth is a cotton cloth, preferably comprising more than 80% cotton, more preferably comprising more than 90%

BE2018 / 5846 cotton. The person skilled in the art will understand that any cloth can be used that is commonly used in the household for different purposes, without departing from the scope of the present invention. In another embodiment, the cloth as used herein is a bath towel. In another embodiment, the cloth as used herein is bed linen. In another embodiment, the cloth as used herein comprises cotton. In another embodiment, the cloth comprises one-sided terry. Alternatively, the cloth comprises double-sided terry or percale. Using easily available cloths, such as bath towels or bed linen, offers several advantages. No additional cloths need to be purchased. No additional cloths need to be washed. This makes the use of available cloths easy for the user. In addition, the kit can be produced, transported and sold without a cloth. Since the cloth is the most bulky part of the kit, the use of available cloths drastically reduces transportation and storage requirements.

In one embodiment, the compositions as described herein comprise an essential oil of Melissa officinalis (lemon balm) and / or an essential oil of Cymbopogon citratus (lemongrass) and / or an essential oil of Cymbopogon flexuosus citraliferum (lemongrass), preferably a mixture of both . The term "essential oil" is known in the art. For further explanation, an essential oil is a concentrated hydrophobic liquid containing volatile aroma compounds from plants. Essential oils are also called volatile oils, essential oils or aromatic oils, or simply the "oil of" the plant from which they were extracted. Essential oils of Melissa officinalis, Cymbopogon citratus and Cymbopogon flexuosus citraliferum are known in the art and are readily available from a variety of commercial sources.

As used herein, limonene is an Acaridae attractant, and its citronellal, linalol, geranyl acetate, caryophyllene, caryophyllene oxide, and / or nerylacetate attractants. These substances, as well as the essential oils of Melissa officinalis and Cymbopogon flexuosus citraliferum, are called the active ingredients or ingredients of the compositions as described herein.

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The non-lethal dose of attractant and attractant enhancing agents to be applied to the cloth as described herein is preferably between about 10 ^-2 pl / m ² and 10 ⁴ pl / m 2, such as between (about) 10 ^-2 pl / m 2 and 10 ³ pl / m2, 10 ^-2 pl / m2 and 10 ² pl / m2, 10 ^-2 pl / m2 and 10 pl / m2, 10 ^-2 pl / m2 and 1 pl / m2, 10 ^-1 pl / m2 and 1 pl / m2. Preferably, the dose is between (approximately) 10 ^-2 pl / m2 and 10 ² pl / m2, more preferably between (approximately) 5 x 10 ^-2 pl / m2 and 10 pl / m2, even more preferably between (approximately) 5 x 10 ^-2 pl / m2 and 5 pl / m2, most preferably between 10 ^-2 pl / m2 and 1 pl / m2, between 5x10 ^-2 pl / m2 and 5x10 ^-1 pl / m2 or between 5x10 ^-2 pl / m2 and 1 pl / m2. These values and ranges may apply to the limonene attractant and each of the individual attractant enhancing agents, or may apply to the total combined dose of attractant and attractant enhancing agents. In a preferred embodiment, these values refer to the total combined dose of attractant and attractant enhancing agents.

In another embodiment, the composition described herein comprises ³ to 10 ^-4 ng / µl of limonene. Preferably between 10 ¹ and 10 ^-3 ng / µl of limonene. More preferably between 10 ^-1 and 10 ^-2 ng / µl of limonene. Most preferably between 10 ⁰ and 10 ^-2 ng / µl of limonene. Limonene is the main Acaridae lure in the composition. It is relatively stable and has a long shelf life. It leads to a high migration value, even at low concentrations, but too high concentrations lead to repelling and even acaricidal effects. Therefore, high concentrations should be avoided and dosage control is of the utmost importance for the invention.

In another embodiment, the allure enhancing agent 10 comprises ³ to 10 ^-4 ng / µl citronellal. Preferably between 10 ¹ and 10 ^-3 ng / µl citronellal. More preferably between 10 ^-1 and 10 ^-2 ng / µl citronellal. Most preferably, between 10 and 10 ^{-2 0} ng / pl citronellal. In a further embodiment, the citronellal enhancing agent is replaced by the corresponding alcohol citronellol or, preferably, a mixture thereof. Citronellal acts as a mild Acaridae lure with a lower migration value than limonene by itself. During testing with limonene over long contact times, it increased the migrated population to almost 1, which means almost complete migration.

In another embodiment, the allure enhancing agent 10 comprises ³ to 10 ^-4 ng / µ linaloil. Preferably between 10 ¹ and 10 ^-3 ng / µl of linear oil. More preferably between 10 ^-1 and 10 ^-2 ng / µl of linalool. Most preferably between 10 ⁰ and 10 ^-2 ng / µl

BE2018 / 5846 linaloöl. Linaloöl is a well-known insecticide against fleas and fruit flies. In low doses, it did not appear to have a significant lure effect on Acaridae when used alone. However, a significant increase in the migrated population was observed after a fixed time when linaloöl was combined with limonene and other attractants.

In another embodiment, the sediment-enhancing agent of the composition comprises ³ to 10 ^-4 ng / µl of geranyl acetate. Preferably between 10 ¹ and 10 ^-3 ng / µl geranyl acetate. More preferably between 10 ^-1 and 10 ^-2 ng / µl geranyl acetate. Most preferably, between 10 and 10 ^{-2 0} ng / pl geranyl acetate. In a further embodiment, the geranyl acetate is replaced by the corresponding alcohol geraniol or, preferably, a mixture thereof.

In another embodiment, the attractant-enhancing agent 10 comprises ³ to 10 ^-4 ng / µl of erery acetate. Preferably between 10 ¹ and 10 ^-3 ng / µl nerylacetate. More preferably between 10 ^-1 and 10 ^-2 ng / µl nerylacetate. Most preferably, between 10 ⁰ to 10 ^-3 ng / pl neryl acetate. In a further embodiment, the nerylacetate is replaced by the corresponding alcohol nerol or, preferably, a mixture thereof.

Nerylacetate and nerol have an Acaridae-luring effect comparable to neral, and geranyl acetate and geraniol have an Acaridae-like effect comparable to geranial. In both cases, the acetate and alcohol forms are less effective and less volatile, but they lead to a higher migrated population after a long time. In view of the high dose Acaridae inhibiting characteristics, together with the short shelf life of neral, this makes nerylacetate and nerol more suitable for use as a regulated Acaridae attractant. Without being bound by theory, it is possible that nerol and nerylacetate are not active, but work via a chemical equilibrium with neral, with neral acting on Acaridae. If this is true, nerol and nerylacetate act as a way to have slow, controlled release of citral, which is then removed because of its high volatility. Regardless of the underlying mechanism, these substances have been found to work very well in combination with limonene to achieve rapid and almost complete migration of Acaridae.

The main difference between the limonene bait and the allure enhancing agents is that the alluring enhancers do not have a significant migration value at the doses described herein when

BE2018 / 5846 itself. However, when used in combination with other attractants and enhancers, the migration value and migrated population were significantly higher than any attractants without enhancers. Increasing the lure concentration did not lead to increased migration, but increasing the amount of seducing agents while keeping the concentrations low did have a significant effect on the migration rate and migrated population.

This invention with composition according to claim 1 comprises an emulsifier. The emulsifier disperses the attractant and the enhancing agents in water. In a preferred embodiment, the emulsifier comprises polysorbate 20. In a preferred embodiment, the emulsifier comprises 0.1-100 ng / µl polysorbate 20. In a preferred embodiment, the emulsifier comprises 1-10 ng / µl polysorbate 20. A suitable emulsifier is very important for both the production as the application. Without the emulsifier, the dispersion of the aqueous solution is insufficient, leading to high variations in dosages. Too low doses are ineffective, while too high doses are Acaridae.

In a preferred embodiment, the aqueous composition comprises between 10 ^-2 and 10 ³ ng / µl of essential oils from Melissa officinalis and / or Cymbopogon citratus and / or Cymbopogon flexuosus citraliferum. More preferably between 10-1 and 10 ² ng / µl of essential oils from Melissa officinalis and / or Cymbopogon citratus and / or Cymbopogon flexuosus citraliferum. More preferably between 1 and 10 ng / µl of essential oils from Melissa officinalis and / or Cymbopogon citratus and / or Cymbopogon flexuosus citraliferum. Most preferably about 3.5 ng / µl of essential oils from Melissa officinalis and about 3.6 ng / µl of Cymbopogon flexuosus citraliferum. The ratio of the concentrations of the essential oils from Melissa officinalis and Cymbopogon flexuosus citraliferum is preferably between 10: 1 and 1:10. A synergistic blend of the essential oils of these plants is ideally suited to luring Acaridae, as it contains a wide variety of attractants and attractants that work synergistically, leading to both high migration values and large migrated populations after a relatively short time.

The invention further relates to a kit comprising this composition or container and further a cloth as defined herein, or in advance

BE2018 / 5846 impregnated with the composition as defined herein, or not impregnated.

When more than one active ingredient is mixed in the compositions as described herein, the mixture can comprise any ratio of the active ingredients concerned. For example, two active ingredients may be present in a composition (volume / volume) of about 100: 1 to 1: 100, such as (about) 90: 1, 80: 1, 70: 1, 60: 1, 50 : 1, 40: 1, 30: 1, 20: 1, 10: 1, 1:10, 1:20, 1:30, 1:40, 1:50, 1:60, 1:70, 1:80 or 1: 90. In a preferred embodiment, two active ingredients are present in the composition in a ratio of 10: 1 to 1:10. For example, Melissa officinalis and Cymbopogon flexuosus citraliferum may be present in a ratio of about 5: 1 to 1: 5.

The compositions as described herein may consist entirely of the active ingredients defined herein, may essentially consist of the active ingredients defined herein, or may comprise the active ingredients defined herein. The compositions as defined herein may include additional ingredients that are effective or ineffective with regard to luring Acaridae. Preferably, if the composition comprises additional components, they are neutral with respect to Acaridae, i.e. they do not repel Acaridae, nor do they kill them. A particularly suitable additional ingredient in the compositions as defined herein is eucalyptol (1,3,3-trimethyl-2-oxabicyclo [2.2.2] octane).

The method as described herein may further comprise the step of contacting the cloth with an article containing Acaridae or presumably containing Acaridae. It is to be understood that the cloth can be brought into contact with such an article before or after the application of the Acaridae-enticing composition. The objects to be covered include, without limitation, beds, covers, blankets, pillows, mattresses, carpets, armchairs, cushions, upholstered items used by people, including objects such as teddy bears, cushions and blankets for dogs, cats and other pets , and homes in general. The term "contacting," as used herein, normally involves placing the cloth on or under the article. The cloth can also be wrapped around the object. Usually and preferably the cloth is in direct contact with the object. It will be understood that

BE2018 / 5846 depending on the shape and size of the object, the cloth can likewise have a different shape or size. One or more cloths can be brought into contact with an object to be treated.

When applying the composition as described herein to the cloth, the cloth preferably has a relative humidity of between about 30% and about 80%, such as between (about) 40-80%, preferably between 50-75%, before being placed. on the article that contains Acaridae or that probably contains Acaridae. Depending on the amount of the composition to be applied per surface of the cloth, which in turn depends on the concentration of the active ingredients in the composition, the cloth may need to be dried before contacting it with an object to be treated. Drying can be carried out passively, such as by means of passive equilibrium adjustment with ambient humidity conditions. Alternatively, the drying may be actively performed, such as, for example, without limitation, by applying heat to evaporate excess moisture. The concentration of the active ingredients in the compositions as described herein can also be chosen such that application of the required amount of the compositions leading to the required dose per unit area automatically leads to the required relative humidity.

Preferably, the cloth comprising the Acaridae-luring composition is applied for at least 0.5 hours or approximately 0.5 hours, more preferably for at least 1 hour or approximately 1 hour, even more preferably for at least 2 hours or approximately 2 hours in contact with an object. The cloth can be contacted for (approximately) 0.50, 0.75, 1.00, 1.25, 1.50, 1.75, 2.00, 2.25, 2.50, 2.75 , 3.00 hours or more.

According to the methods described herein, the article containing Acaridae or presumably comprising Acaridae and to be contacted, such as covered, with the cloth comprising the Acaridae-luring composition can advantageously be dried before contacting the cloth are being brought. The term drying, as used herein, preferably refers to an equilibrium adjustment with the humidity conditions of the environment. The drying step is therefore the most favorable to be applied to articles which may be subject to moist conditions. For example, a mattress that has been slept on may be more moist than environmental conditions due to perspiration

BE2018 / 5846 individual who has slept on it. The object, in particular a mattress, can preferably be dried for a few hours. Drying can be carried out passively, such as by means of passive equilibrium adjustment with ambient humidity conditions. Alternatively, the drying may be actively performed, such as, for example, without limitation, by applying heat to evaporate excess moisture. In one embodiment, the article covered with the cloth as described herein may be dried for at least about 1 hour, such as, for example, (about) 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10 or more hours. In a preferred embodiment, the article is dried for at least about 3 hours, preferably for at least about 5 hours, even more preferably for about 7 hours or 7 hours.

To remove or eliminate the Acaridae, the cloth, after being brought into contact with the article containing the Acaridae, is removed from the article. The Acaridae that reside in the cloth are thus effectively removed from the object and eliminated. To remove the Acaridae from the cloth, the cloth can be washed and / or frozen. Both methods lead to the killing of the Acaridae.

When the cloth is washed, the Acaridae will also be removed from the cloth at the same time during the washing process. Any conventional washing process can be used, such as in a washing machine. Detergent may or may not be added during the washing process. Preferably detergent is added as this helps to kill the Acaridae. It will be understood that the person skilled in the art can determine the washing conditions according to the composition of the cloth, since for example certain textiles cannot withstand washing at high temperatures, while others cannot withstand certain types of detergent.

Freezing the cloth can be carried out by subjecting the cloth to temperatures lower than 0 ° C, preferably lower than about -10 ° C, such as lower than (about) -15 ° C or -20 ° C. Preferably, the cloth is frozen for at least about 0.50 hours, such as (about) 0.50, 1.00, 1.25, 1.50, 1.75, 2.00, 2.25, 2.50 , 2.75, 3.00 or more hours. The person skilled in the art will understand that, depending on the size of the cloth, longer periods of time may apply to completely freeze the cloth. After freezing, the cloth can be thawed, after which the dead Acaridae can be removed, for example mechanically, such as by the

BE2018 / 5846 cloth to shake. In addition, the cloth can be washed as described above.

The invention further relates to a cloth as described herein, with spacings that are sufficiently large and of sufficient thickness to hold Acaridae, comprising a non-lethal dose per surface of citral, limonene and / or pinene, preferably all, causing the non-lethal dose per area to attract Acaridae. Preferably, the cloth does not contain toxic substances such as pesticides or acaricides, or at least does not contain such components in amounts sufficient to kill Acaridae.

The invention further relates to a kit comprising a cloth as described herein and / or a composition as described herein. Such a kit can therefore comprise a cloth which has already been impregnated with the composition as described herein in a dose as described herein. Alternatively, the cloth may not have been impregnated with the composition as described herein. The composition may additionally be provided in the kit. In addition, the kit may include instructions for applying the composition to the cloth and / or instructions for use, such as for applying the cloth to an article containing Acaridae or presumably containing Acaridae. Such instructions may contain the dose to be applied, for example the dose per surface area, but may additionally or alternatively also contain guidelines concerning the use of the composition, such as for instance guidelines regarding the distance from which the composition should be applied to the cloth. sprayed. The instructions may further or alternatively include information regarding the time that the cloth is to be placed on the article to be treated, the drying time of the article for which the cloth is contacted with the article and / or the drying time or required relative humidity of the article. the cloth before bringing it into contact with the object to be treated.

The compositions of the invention as described herein may be provided in a container, for example in a dispenser or applicator such as a nebulizer. Such dispensers or applicators are known in the art. The applicator can be configured for continuous delivery of the composition, so that the user can determine the amount of the delivered composition by, for example, spraying continuously for a certain time. Alternatively, and preferably, the applicator may be one

BE2018 / 5846 unit dose applicator, so that the dispensed amount of the composition is predetermined, ie the applicator or the dispenser delivers a discrete unit dose per application. In a preferred embodiment, the dispensing device can be a manual atomizer with a nozzle control, which provides a defined amount of bait solution per unit area of the textile. The person skilled in the art will recognize that when spraying with a dispenser, either continuously or discreetly, the distance between the dispenser and the target surface can influence the size of the covered surface. For example, when the composition exits the nozzle of the dispenser, the spray mist can become wider in proportion to the distance of the nozzle to cover a larger area as the distance of the target increases, ie the greater the distance between the dispenser and the target surface , the larger the target area will become. Therefore, in order to achieve a certain dose per target area, the dispenser may need to be placed at a predetermined distance from the target area such that, taking into account the widening of the spray mist (e.g. after leaving the nozzle, the spray mist becomes (as a cone wider), and thereby diluting the amount of the composition per area over the distance, the preset dose per area is satisfied. By way of example, and without limitation, if the dispenser delivers a unit dose containing the required amount of active ingredient to cover 200 cm ² , the dispenser must be placed at such a distance from the target that 200 cm 2 is covered.

It is to be understood that the dispenser or applicator as described herein may comprise either one or a combination of the active ingredients as described herein, in dilute or undiluted form. By way of example, and without limitation, the dispenser may contain an aqueous composition comprising between 10 ^-2 and 10 ³ ng / µl of essential oils from Melissa officinalis and / or Cymbopogon citratus and / or Cymbopogon flexuosus citraliferum. More preferably between 10 ^-1 and 10 ² ng / µl of essential oils from Melissa officinalis and / or Cymbopogon citratus and / or Cymbopogon flexuosus citraliferum. More preferably between 1 and 10 ng / µl of essential oils from Melissa officinalis and / or Cymbopogon citratus and / or Cymbopogon flexuosus citraliferum. Preferably, the dispenser is adapted to deliver a non-lethal dose of the active ingredients per unit area for Acaridae.

BE2018 / 5846

In a preferred embodiment, the unit dose applicator comprises the container of the aqueous composition. Preferably, this container is interchangeable with respect to the other components of the unit dose applicator. In a further embodiment, the container is non-permeable to all compounds in the aqueous composition. More preferably, the container is sealed and must be opened for use. More preferably, both the container and the lid are made of aluminum.

The impermeability of the container is of vital importance for the shelf life of the invention. Most active substances are very volatile substances. In the production of a composition as described herein, as well as the transport and storage of both components and products, the high volatility of compounds must be taken into account. The essential oil of Cymbopogon flexuosus citraliferum contains large amounts of citral. Shelf life tests of a particularly preferred embodiment of the composition comprising the essential oil of Cymbopogon flexuosus citraliferum showed that no citral was present. Surprisingly, the composition comprising the essential oil of Cymbopogon flexuosus citraliferum without citral was more effective in attracting and promoting migration in Acaridae, proving that citral is neither a necessary nor a desirable ingredient in this synergistic composition.

EXAMPLES

Example 1: Physical and chemical factors that influence the choice of mites

Aim of the experiments: All experiments are tests of binary choice, aimed at determining the preference of mites and the place where they prefer to stay (for at least 30 minutes).

Breeding: The species studied was Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus, a dust mite that is common in mattresses in Eurasia. Mites are bred in Petri dishes and fed with human dander (skin and beard hair, obtained by cleaning shavers). All mites were bred together under

BE2018 / 5846 defined conditions (20 ° C and 75% relative humidity). The experiments took place in a room that was kept at 20 ° C and 40% relative humidity.

Materials and methods: A group of mites (20 <n <40) was placed in the center of a petri dish (0 = 5.5 cm) around which two semicircles of felt were placed (see Figure 1). The felt pieces were 70 mg / cm ² and their thickness was 2 mm. One felt is the check (check felt); the other felt is the felt with the tested article, for example the felt impregnated with a tested chemical compound.

Mites spontaneously move towards one of the two felts. The number of mites that preferably go to one side or another was counted and the distribution of this data was compared with a situation where mites have the choice between two identical pieces of felt (Kolmogorov-Smirnov tests).

Observations and counts of mites were made under a binocular microscope (magnification 10 *). The set-up is illuminated with a cold lamp (KL 1500 LCD, Schott ®), the exposure is symmetrical and the light intensity was 50 klux. The experimental conditions were regulated in the chamber (T ° C: 19-22 ° C and RV 40%).

A. PHYSICAL FACTORS AFFECTING THE CHOICE

Experiment 1: Influence of cloth moisture on Acaridae-provoking properties

Aim of the experiment: Mites can choose between felts that are moistened in different ways.

Materials and methods: The felt control piece was at 40% RH (20 ° C, laboratory conditions). The felts tested were at 40, 75, 85 and 100% humidity. To obtain felts at 75 and 85% humidity, the felts were placed in a room with a radio-electronic humidifier (Brown B500, accuracy ± 2 ° RH) for at least one hour that humidified the atmosphere at 75 and 85% respectively. The humidity of the room became

BE2018 / 5846 regularly checked with a thermohygrometer (Oregon). To test felt on

To obtain 100% RH, the felts were simply soaked in water.

Results: The mites were less attracted or repelled by a felt that had been moistened at 40 and 75% (Table 1). When the felt was at 80% RH and 100%, it became repellent to mites. The same results are obtained with Dermatophagoides farinae.

Table 1: Influence of humidity on the choice of mites.

Amount: number, Stat. diff .: statistically different, NS: not significant, RV: relative humidity

Tested felts that are on a defined% RH Check felt No. Trial and stat. key Average Standard deviation felt at 100% RV felt at 40% RV 30 Stat. diff. 0.01 0.02 felt on 85% RH felt at 40% RV 30 Stat. diff. 0.35 0.13 felt on 75% RH felt at 40% RV 30 NS 0.48 0.15 felt on 40% RH felt at 40% RV 30 Check 0.48 0.12

Experiment 2: Influence of cloth density on Acaridae-provoking properties

Aim of the experiments: Similar experiments were performed to determine the density of the felt preferred by mites.

Materials and methods: Mites choose between a felt of different density. All tested felts and control felts were impregnated with 1 µl citral (dilution ^10-6 ) (see below).

Results: The felt that was more attractive to mites has a density of 20 mg / cm ² (Table 2). The same results are obtained with Dermatophagoides farinae.

BE2018 / 5846

Table 2: Influence of the density of the felt on the choice of mites.

Amount: number, Stat. diff .: statistically different, NS: not significant.

Felt tested Check felt No. taste Stat. key Average Standard deviation Felt with density 20 mg / cm ² Felt with density 70 mg / cm 2 30 Stat. diff. 0.63 0.17 Felt with density 10 mg / cm 2 Felt with density 20 mg / cm 2 30 Stat. diff. 0.32 0.14

A. COLLECTION METHOD (Behavior Test - Catch Cover Test) Objective: To measure the percentage of mites that are lured by the solution in the textile under conditions similar to those with which the user is dealing.

Types of dust mites: the species studied is Dermatophagoidspteronyssinus, the most common house dust mite in mattresses in Eurasia.

A piece of cloth of different densities (10 cm x 20 cm rectangle) is placed on mini mattresses (polyurethane; scale: 15X smaller than conventional mattresses) that were infused with dust mites 3 months in advance. The lure solution is then sprayed onto the cloth. The cloth is left on the mattress for one hour. During that time the dust mites migrate into the canvas.

The number of mites in the cloth and the mattress is then counted. To this end, the experimenter removes the mites from the cloth / mattress by exposing them to a heating plate at 40 ° C for 30 minutes (Bischoff's method), so that the mites will rise and stick to a black adhesive paper placed on top of the device. . Counts are made 1 hour after the treatment and exposure of the cover on the infested, simulated mattress. The results are given in Table 3:

BE2018 / 5846

Table 3: Effect of cloth density on Acaridae-luring effect of essential oil mixtures, determined by capture coating test.

Sample Cloth Result* Control: No treatment / solution Textile 300 g / m ² 3% Control: No treatment / solution Beige towel (100% cotton) 500 g / m ² 4% Control: No treatment / solution Dark gray towel (100% cotton) 500 g / m ² 4% Control: Water Textile 300 g / m2 3% Control: Water Beige towel (100% cotton) 500 g / m ² 4% Control: Water Dark gray towel (100% cotton) 500 g / m ² 4% Melissa officinalis essential oil (3.6 ng / pl) + Cymbopogon essential oil (3.5 ng / pl) + polysorbate 20 (4.4 ng / pl) Textile 300 g / m ² 92% Melissa officinalis essential oil (3.6 ng / pl) + Cymbopogon essential oil (3.5 ng / pl) + polysorbate 20 (4.4 ng / pl) Beige towel (100% cotton) 500 g / m ² 79% Melissa officinalis essential oil (3.6 ng / pl) + Cymbopogon essential oil (3.5 ng / pl) + polysorbate 20 (4.4 ng / pl) Dark gray towel (100% cotton) 500 g / m ² 81%

•% mites lured by composition • * number of repetitions = 10

The density of the textile has some influence on the effectiveness of the fall. Note, however, that at least 80% of the mites were lured regardless of the density of the cloth.

BE2018 / 5846

Experiment 3: Influence of color of cloth on Acaridae-provoking properties

A. Similar experimental arrangements were made with colored felt and white felt.

Table 4: Influence of the color of the felt and the color combined with the active compound

Amount: number, Stat. diff .: statistically different, NS: not significant

Test Felt tested Check felt No. taste Stat. key Average Standard deviation Color dark blue felt white felt 30 stat. diff. 0.63 0.17 Connection and color blue felt + 1 pl citral (verd. 10 ^-6 ) white felt + 1 pl H2O 18 stat. diff. 0.84 0.14

Results: The mites preferably migrated towards the blue felt. In combination with citral, a migration of 84% of the mites towards the blue felt was obtained.

B. COVERAGE METHOD (Behavior Test - Catch Cover Test) Objective: To measure the percentage of mites that are lured by the solution in the textile under conditions similar to those with which the user is dealing.

Dust mites type: the species studied is Dermatophagoid spteronyssinus, the most common house dust mite in mattresses in Eurasia.

A piece of cloth of different densities (10 cm x 20 cm rectangle) is placed on mini mattresses (polyurethane; scale: 15X smaller than conventional mattresses) that were infused with dust mites 3 months in advance. The lure solution is then sprayed onto the cloth. The cloth is left on the mattress for one hour. During that time the dust mites migrate into the canvas.

The number of mites in the cloth and the mattress is then counted. To this end, the experimenter removes the mites from the cloth / mattress by 30 minutes

BE2018 / 5846 to expose a heating plate at 40 ° C (Bischoff's method), so that the mites will rise and stick to a black adhesive paper placed on top of the device. Counts are made 1 hour after the treatment and exposure of the cover on the infested, simulated mattress.

The results are given in Table 5.

Table 5: Effect of cloth color on Acaridae-luring effect of essential oil mixtures, determined by capture coverage test.

Sample Cloth Result* Control: No treatment Beige towel (100% cotton, 500 g / m ² ) 3% Control: No treatment Dark gray towel (100% cotton, 500 g / m ² ) 4% Control: Water Beige towel (100% cotton, 500 g / m ² ) 3% Control: Water Dark gray towel (100% cotton, 500 g / m ² ) 4% Melissa officinalis essential oil (3.6 ng / pl) + Cymbopogon essential oil (3.5 ng / pl) + polysorbate 20 (4.4 ng / pl) Beige towel (100% cotton, 500 g / m ² ) 79% Melissa officinalis essential oil (3.6 ng / pl) + Cymbopogon essential oil (3.5 ng / pl) + polysorbate 20 (4.4 ng / pl) Dark gray towel (100% cotton, 500 g / m ² ) 81%

% mites lured by composition * number of repetitions = 10

BE2018 / 5846

Experiment 4: COLLECTION METHOD (Behavior test - Catch cover test) on white used bedding

Objective: To measure the percentage of mites that are lured by the solution in the textile under conditions similar to those with which the user has to deal.

Dust mites type: the species studied is Dermatophagoid spteronyssinus, the most common house dust mite in mattresses in Eurasia.

Used bedding is placed on the infused simulated mattress (polyurethane; scale: 15X smaller than the usual mattresses) that was infested with dust mites 1 month in advance. The lure solution is then sprayed onto the cloth. The cloth is left on the mattress for one hour. During that time the dust mites migrate into the canvas.

The number of mites in the cloth and the mattress is then counted. To this end, the experimenter removes the mites from the cloth / mattress by exposing them to a heating plate at 40 ° C for 30 minutes (Bischoff's method), so that the mites will rise and stick to a black adhesive paper placed on top of the device. . Counts are made 1 hour after the treatment and exposure of the cover on the infested, simulated mattress.

The results are given in Table 6:

Table 6: Effect of lure effect of essential oil mixture applied to used bedding, determined by capture coverage test

Treatment of the cloth % mites on the cover after 1 hour Control: No treatment 4% Control: Water 7% Melissa officinalis essential oil (3.6 ng / pl) + Cymbopogon essential oil (3.5 ng / pl) + polysorbate 20 (4.4 ng / pl) 82%

% mites lured by composition * number of repetitions = 10

BE2018 / 5846

Experiment 5: COUGHING METHOD (Behavior test - Catch cover test) on real mattresses

Objective: To measure the percentage of mites from an infested mattress that are lured by the solution.

Dust mites type: the species studied is Dermatophagoid spteronyssinus, the most common house dust mite in mattresses in Eurasia.

52.5 x 50 cm samples cut from real 90 x 190 cm mattresses ('Doux rêve') were infested with a known number of dust mites D. pteronyssinus, sprayed with the control / composition of the invention and covered with the provided towel as described in the standard 'capture coverage test' performed on these three samples. The lure solution is then sprayed onto the cloths. The sheets are left on the mattress for 30 minutes, one hour and two hours. Since the purpose of the test was to determine the time needed to capture the maximum number of mites, the number of mites caught on the cover was measured after 30 minutes, 1 hour, and 2 hours.

The number of mites in the cloth and the mattress is then counted. To this end, the experimenter removes the mites from the cloth / mattress by exposing them to a heating plate at 40 ° C for 30 minutes (Bischoff's method), so that the mites will rise and stick to a black adhesive paper placed on top of the device. . Counts are made 1 hour after the treatment and exposure of the cover on the infested, simulated mattress.

The results are given in Table 7.

Table 7: Effect of exposure time on Acaridae-luring effect of essential oil mixture applied to the provided towel, as described in the standard 'capture coverage test'.

Treatment of the cloth % mites on the cover after 30 minutes. % mites on the cover after 1 hour % mites on the cover after 2 hours Control: No treatment 0.8% 2.4% 4.4% Control: Water 0.3% 4.8% 6.3% Melissa officinalis essential oil (3.6 ng / pl) + Cymbopogon essential oil (3.5 ng / pl) + polysorbate 20 (4.4 ng / pl) 70.8% 91.8% 95.4%

BE2018 / 5846

Under the conditions of this test with the sample provided, the mite strain and the methodology used, the test proved that a contact time of 1 hour between the cover and a mattress containing mites is needed to capture 90% of the mites Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus.

B. CHEMICAL FACTORS AFFECTING THE CHOICE

Aim of the experiments: In the experiments, the felt tested was impregnated with chemical substances that can be chemical Acaridae attractants.

Materials and methods:

Various compounds were tested: Citral, limonene, α-pinene, eucalyptol, lavendulol, polysorbate 20. The results are shown in Table 4. Dust Mites were lured to the diluted citral (10 ^-6), but it is citral 10 ^-3 repellent. The limonene (verd. 10 ^-5 ) and the α-pinene (verd. 10 ^-6 ) were alluring for mites. Eucalyptol, lavendulol and polysorbate had no statistically significant effect.

Table 8: Influence of chemical compounds on the binary choice of dust mites

Amount: number, Stat. diff .: statistically different, NS: not significant, dil .: dilution

Tested felt with bait connections Check- felt No. taste Stat. key Average Standard deviation Dry felt Dry felt 30 NS 0.52 0.12 Felt + 1 pl citral (dilution 10 ^-6 ) Felt + 1 µl H2O 20 Stat. diff. 0.72 0.20 Felt + 1 pl citral (vers. 10 ^-3 ) Felt + 1 µl H2O 30 Stat. diff. 0.23 0.20 Felt + 1 pl citral 0 Felt + 1 µl H2O 30 Stat. diff. 0.03 0.03 Felt + 1 pl limonene (dil. ^10-6 ) Felt + 1 µl H2O 4 NS 0.48 0.13

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Felt + 1 pl limonene (dil. 10 ^-5 ) Felt + 1 µl H2O 9 Stat. diff. 0.61 0.13 Felt + 1 pl αpine (dil. 10 ^-5 ) Felt + 1 µl H2O 6 NS 0.45 0.31 Felt + 1 pl αpine (dil. ^10-6 ) Felt + 1 µl H2O 9 Stat. diff. 0.58 0.32 Felt + 1 µl of eucalyptol (dil. ^10-6 ) Felt + 1 µl H2O 5 NS 0.48 0.17 Felt + 1 µl of eucalyptol (dil. ^10-6 ) Felt + 1 µl H2O 5 NS 0.51 0.13 Felt + 1 pl lavendulol (dil. ^10-6 ) Felt + 1 µl H2O 5 NS 0.46 0.28 Felt + 1 pl lavendulol (dil. ^10-6 ) Felt + 1 µl H2O 5 NS 0.51 0.22 Felt + 1 µl polysorbate 20 (dil. ^10-6 ) Felt + 1 µl H2O 5 NS 0.50 0.18 Felt + 1 µl polysorbate 20 (dil. ^10-6 ) Felt + 1 µl H2O 5 NS 0.53 0.24

Example 2: Chemical factors that influence the efficiency of the fall

Breeding: The species studied was Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus, a dust mite that is common in mattresses in Eurasia. Mites are bred in Petri dishes and fed with human dander (skin and beard hair, obtained by cleaning shavers). All mites were bred together under defined conditions (20 ° C and 75% relative humidity). The

BE2018 / 5846 experiments took place in a room that was kept at 20 ° C and 40% relative humidity.

Aim of the experiments: The aim was to test the fall under conditions similar to those with which the user will experience the fall.

Materials and methods: The mattresses were built on a smaller scale (15X smaller) than conventional mattresses. These mini mattresses are made of polyurethane and are covered with a cotton cover (100% cotton). They have been infested with mites since at least 3 months. The textile was a felt of 20 mg / cm ² and is a rectangle of 10 cm x 20 cm. It was placed on the mini mattress. The lure solution was then sprayed onto the textile with the aid of a spray bottle. The textile was left in place on the mattress. During this time the mites moved into the felt.

It is very difficult to directly count the number of mites that are hidden in the mattress and in the textile. That is why we used a Berlèse funnel, a device that is generally used to separate insects from waste. Here we used it to separate the mites from their mattress or from the textile. The Berlèse funnel uses a lamp to heat and dry the mattress, which drives the mites down through a sieve and into a catch pot with some food and water.

The principle is simple: dust mites do not like light or excessive heat. They are attracted by a source of moisture and the smell of food. That is why we placed the mattress or blanket in the funnel (Figure 2). The mites go down towards the pot and then into the pot. Harvesting the pot with the mites takes place after one day. The mites then had 24 hours to migrate to the collection pot.

Since a significant part of the population is immobile (annoying mites), catching is less efficient than it would otherwise be and the estimate of the size of the caught population is probably impure. In order to avoid this impurity and to make a correct assessment of the populations in the infested mattresses, mattresses were gently brushed with a soft brush at the end of the manipulation, so that immobile mites and eggs also fall into the funnel. The textile was also brushed gently. The Berlèse funnel became

BE2018 / 5846 rinsed with ethanol. In this way, the mites on the inner wall of the funnel were driven by the ethanol into the receiving pot.

At the end of the experiment, the pot contained: the food that was used to lure mites, a small amount of water that was also used as a lure, mites and ethanol. The pot was emptied into a petri dish and we counted mites under a binocular microscope. Mite counting was done under a binocular microscope (magnification 10 *). The setup is illuminated with a cold lamp (KL 1500 LCD, Schott ®).

The felt was sprayed with different combinations of different bait solutions: a solution of citral, a solution of citral + limonene. Tests were then performed with two essential oils Cymbopogon flexuosus citraliferum and Melissa officinalis. These two oils contain citral, limonene, citronellal, linalol, geranyl acetate, geraniol, nerylacetate, nerol, caryophyllene and caryophyllene oxide.

The major chemical constituents of Melissa officinalis oil are transocimene, cis-ocimene, 3-octanone, methylhepenone, cis-3-hexenol, 3-octanol, 1-octene-3-ol, copaene, citronellal, linalool, b-bourboneen, caryophyllene, α-humulene, neral, germacrene-D, geranial, geranyl acetate, d-cadines, y-cadines, nerol and geraniol.

The main compounds of Cymbopogon flexuosus citraliferum oil are alcohols (citronellol, geraniol) and aldehydes (15% geranial, 10% neral, 5% citronellal).

The duo of the two essential oils is very attractive for mites. So we have tested different dilutions (from 10 ^-6 to 10 ^-2 ), different amounts (1 ml, 2 ml, 3 ml per 200 square cm).

In addition, the timing of the use of the fall was explored.

Two different drying times were tested for the mattress (0 hours, 7 hours). When the mattress dried for a long time (7 hours), the mites were attracted more by the textile impregnated with a lure solution.

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The exposure time, that is to say the length of time during which the textile is placed on the mattress, must be sufficient for the living mites to dry. Two different exposure times were tested (2 hours, 1 hour). The textile is more efficient when it is placed on the mattress for 2 hours than when this is done for 1 hour.

We also carried out tests with recycled felt made of polyester and with felt consisting of 30% wool (sheep wool) and 70% viscose.

Results: The results are shown in Table 5. The most efficient lure solution consists of Melissa officinalis, Cymbopogon flexuosus citraliferum, in a combined concentration of 0.000001 pl / pl, which is equal to 1 pl / l (in a 1: 1 ratio). It is most efficient when the mattress is dried for 7 hours and the textile is placed on it for 1 or 2 hours. An efficient amount of solution that is sprayed can be 2 or 3 ml.

Multiple types of essential oils from Melissa officinalis, Cymbopogon flexuosus citraliferum from different suppliers were tested and all gave consistent results.

Table 9: Combination of various compositions and conditions

Composition of the felt Solution / 200 cm ² drying + exposure s time Local connections Dilute in solution No. taste Captured mites 100% polyester 4 ml 0 h + 2 h Dry 0.00001 7 4% 100% polyester 4 ml 0 h + 2 h H2O 0.00001 7 6% 100% polyester 4 ml 0 h + 2 h Citral 0.00001 7 17% 70% viscose / 30% wool 12 ml 0 h + 2 h Citrallimonene 0.00001 6 22%

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70% viscose / 30% wool 8 ml 0 h + 2 h Citrallimonene 0.00001 5 19% 70% viscose / 30% wool 4 ml 0 h + 2 h Citrallimonene 0.00001 5 19% 70% viscose / 30% wool 3 ml 0 h + 2 h Citrallimonene 0.00001 5 31% 70% viscose / 30% wool 3 ml 0 h + 2 h C. flexuosus citraliferu m 0.00001 7 37% 70% viscose / 30% wool 3 ml 0 h + 2 h M. officinalis 0.01 8 31% 70% viscose / 30% wool 3 ml 0 h + 2 h M. officinalis 0.001 8 28% 70% viscose / 30% wool 3 ml 0 h + 2 h M. officinalis 0.0001 6 42% 70% viscose / 30% wool 3 ml 0 h + 2 h M. officinalis 0.00001 4 45% 70% viscose / 30% wool 3 ml 0 h + 2 h M. officinalis 0.000001 4 59% 70% viscose / 30% wool 3 ml 0 h + 2 h C. flexuosus citraliferu m 0.01 3 41% 70% viscose / 30% wool 3 ml 0 h + 2 h C. flexuosus citraliferu m 0.001 4 38%

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70% viscose / 30% wool 3 ml 0 h + 2 h C. flexuosus citraliferu m 0.0001 4 83% 70% viscose / 30% wool 3 ml 0 h + 2 h C. flexuosus citraliferu m 0.00001 7 43% 70% viscose / 30% wool 3 ml 0 h + 2 h C. flexuosus citraliferu m 0.000001 5 44% 70% viscose / 30% wool 3 ml 7 hrs + 2 hrs C. flexuosus citraliferu m 0.000001 7 43% Felt 100% recycled 3 ml 7 hrs + 2 hrs C. flexuosus citraliferu m 0.000001 4 18% Felt 100% recycled 2 ml 7 hrs + 2 hrs C. flexuosus citraliferu m 0.000001 5 19% 70% viscose / 30% wool 3 ml 0 h + 2 h M. officinalis, C. flexuosus citraliferu m 0.000001 7 22% 70% viscose / 30% wool 3 ml 7 hrs + 2 hrs M. officinalis, C. flexuosus citraliferu m 0.000001 7 99%

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70% viscose / 30% wool 3 ml 7 hours + 1 hour M. officinalis, C. flexuosus citraliferu m 0.000001 7 87% 70% viscose / 30% wool 2 ml 7 hours + 1 hour M. officinalis, C. flexuosus citraliferu m 0.000001 7 65% 70% viscose / 30% wool 2 ml 7 hrs + 2 hrs M. officinalis, C. flexuosus citraliferu m 0.00001 7 96% 70% viscose / 30% wool 2 ml 7 hrs + 2 hrs M. officinalis, C. flexuosus citraliferu m 0.00002 7 60%

Amount: number

Example 3: Shelf life and storage of the aqueous solution

Purpose of the experiments:

Finding a suitable storage material. Verifying the presence of volatile lure molecules in fresh solutions (freshly prepared, 1 day old) and 10 stored solutions (8-12 months). Determining the amount of those bait molecules in the solutions, and thereby making it possible to follow the chemical profile of the solutions over time.

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Materials and methods:

An aqueous solution of 3.5 ng / µl essential oil from Melissa officinalis, 3.6 ng / µl essential oil from Cymbopogon flexuosus citraliferum and 5 ng / µl polysorbate was prepared, bottled and stored.

Bottle material test: Two types of 100 ml bottles were tested. A plastic and an aluminum bottle was made (20 bottles for each material). The bottles were stored for 1 month and then tested for the presence of citral.

Long-term shelf life test: 38 bottled solutions (stored for 8-12 months) and 11 bottled fresh solutions (stored for 1 day) were tested to compare the presence and amount of citral and limonene.

Quantitative measurements of citral and limonene were made by gas chromatography (GC). These are known in the art. The essential oils were extracted from 25 ml of the bottled solution using 2 ml of n-hexane (LC-MS or HPLC grade). A 1 µl sample of the nhexane extract was injected into the GC-MS equipped with a mass detector and using an OPTIMA-5MS capillary column (30 m, 0.25 mm b.d., 0.25 mm film thickness). Programmed temperature elution was used with an initial temperature of 40 ° C, then rise to 280 ° C at 8 ° C / min and held at 280 ° C for 5 min. Helium was used as the carrier gas. Electron impact ionization was performed using an electron energy of 70eV and a mass range of 40-800 m / z.

Results:

Bottle material test: These short-term tests showed no significant difference between the plastic and aluminum bottles (Table). Citral was present in every sample analyzed.

Table 10: Bottle material test

Bottle material Neral Geranial Aluminium 12.68% ± 0.18 12.56% ± 1.79 Plastic 12.63% ± 0.59 13.03% ± 1.25

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Long-term shelf life test: 9 standard solutions were analyzed to determine the frequency of occurrence of volatile lure molecules (limonene and citral) in freshly prepared solutions. The presence of both limonene (0.25 ng / µl ± 0.02; mean ± st.dev.) And citral (10.37 ng / µl ± 0.9) was observed in each of the solutions.

stored solutions were analyzed 8-12 months after preparation. Limonene was present in all analyzed solutions. The limonene concentrations varied between 0.01 and 0.28 ng / µl (0.081 ng / µl ± 0.066). Citral was not detected in any of the solutions.

While limonene was still present after 12 months of storage (presence tested in all solutions, N solutions = 38, N standard = 9), citral was only detected in fresh solutions (standards). This proves that limonene is more stable (persists in time) than citral (very volatile molecule). The fresh and stored solutions were tested for Acaridae-provoking properties by the binary test (see Example 1). There was no significant difference between the fresh and the stored solutions. This indicates that the presence of citral is neither required nor synergistic for the Acaridae-luring solution.

Example 4: Elimination of the mites from the canvas

To eliminate mites, the textile is put in the washing machine when the dust mites are in the textile. All mites were killed by water temperatures of 55 ° C or higher (Mc Donald & Tovey 1992, Andersen & Roesen 1998). According to other authors, it is possible to achieve mite control in delicate items of clothing by washing at low temperature in the presence of a mite control additive providing a final concentration of 0.03% benzyl benzoate (Bischoff et al. 1998). After washing, when it is dry, the textile can be placed again in other places with living mites and the textile can be impregnated with the lure solution through the dispensing device and reused to catch dust mites (Colloff 2009).

It is also possible to kill the mites in the textile by killing them in a freezer. A temperature of -20 ° C for 30 minutes causes almost 100% mortality, which indicates that a standard household freezer can be used.

BE2018 / 5846 used for killing mites in relatively small items such as soft toys, pillows and clothing that cannot be washed hot. After the textile has been in the freezer, it must be shaken to get rid of the dead dust mites (Colloff 2009).

Example 5: Effects on Dermatophagoides farinae

Example 2 was repeated with the Dermatophagoides farinae mite species. The results are shown in the Table.

Table 11: Effects on Dermatophagoides farinae

Composition of the felt solution / 200 cm 2 drying + exposure time Lure connections (1: 1 ratio) Dilution in solution No. taste captive and living mites 70% viscose / 30% wool 3 ml 7 hrs + 2 hrs M. officinalis, C. flexuosus citraliferum 0.000001 7 45%

Amount: number

It is clear from Table 11 that the compositions and methods according to the invention are also suitable for luring and catching Dermatophagoides farinae.

Example 6: Effects of fabric processing on removal of the mites

200 cm ² cloths were infused with 30 mites. After infestation, the cloths were subjected to three different treatments (10 cloths per treatment):

(1) freezing followed by shaking (2) freezing without subsequent shaking (3) washing in a washing machine at 50 ° C for 30 minutes without adding soap

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After the treatment, the cloths were immersed in a saturated NaCl solution and shaken to remove the mites from the cloth. Due to the difference in density between the mites and the NaCl solution, the mites float to the surface and become concentrated, making them easy to remove.

The three different treatments yielded statistically significant differences (Kruskall-Wallis test p <0.0001). Treatment (1) and treatment (3) were shown to give comparable results (post-hoc Dunn test).

These results show that the mites trapped in the cloths according to the invention can be effectively removed.

Example 7: Clinical trials

A kit as described herein was sent by post to 23 allergic patients. This kit contained a textile support, a nebulizer and instructions for use. The nebulizer included an aqueous solution of 3.5 ng / µl essential oil from Melissa officinalis, 3.6 ng / µl essential oil from Cymbopogon flexuosus citraliferum and 5 ng / µl polysorbate 20.

There was telephone contact with most patients and some advice was given on how to use the solution. More general advice was also given on controlling dust mites, such as reducing humidity, choosing suitable furniture, regularly washing all bedding, vacuuming the allergens with a vacuum cleaner system equipped with HEPA filter and avoiding chemical fabrics.

For these users of the kit, the modus operandi was to place a textile carrier on the mattress, spray a lure solution on the textile and, when the lured mites were in the textile, kill it by washing the textile in the washing machine with some soap. After the first use, it was strongly recommended to vacuum the mattress once to remove the allergens left by mites. The users had enough bait solution to do 8 to 9 tests. The textile support was of one size, sufficient to cover the surface of a single bed

BE2018 / 5846. If the patients were allergic adults, we would send their two textile carriers to cover the entire surface of a double bed. The patients were called after two months. The conversations lasted an average of 10 minutes. The following questions were asked: 1) How many times was the kit used? 2) What were their symptoms before using the kit? 3) Did they observe any effect? If so, was it an improvement or a total relief of symptoms?

The results of this survey are shown in Figure 1. These results were as follows: the kit was used 2.6 ± 1.4 times on average. Of the patients surveyed, 14 suffered from rhinitis, 3 from conjunctivitis and 5 were asthmatic. As shown in FIG. 1, improvements were observed in the 3 types of symptoms.

Improvements were observed in most cases for the 3 types of symptoms. In some cases the symptoms were gone.

Patients with rhinitis used the kit and followed the advice on controlling dust mites. It should be noted that 2 out of 4 patients with rhinitis who observed no effect did not use the kit properly. One did not vacuum his mattress after using the kit, as recommended. That is why the allergens produced by mites were still in bed. In another case, too much luring solution was sprayed on the mattress. The solution moistened the mattress and the mites did not get into the textile carrier. It was possible that the last two were not allergic to dust mites, but to other allergens. Patients suffering from asthma and conjunctivitis knew how to deal with dust mites. The improvement of their symptoms could be linked to the use of the kit.

It is believed that the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above and that some modifications or changes may be added to the described examples without re-evaluating the appended claims. For example, in the kit of the invention, the used cloth can be any suitable fabric that is used in the household general, of any color, and material composition, and as such it can be used in the kit of the ⁴⁷ BE2018 / 5846 present invention without departing off to depart from the scope of the present invention.

Claims (15)

CONCLUSIONS A kit for the controlled migration of Acaridae, comprising a cloth with an average thickness of at least 1 mm, a unit dose applicator and an aqueous synergistic composition that promotes the non-lethal migration of Acaridae. A method for non-lethal challenge and migration of Acaridae, comprising the steps of: a) applying to the cloth according to claim 1 using the unit dose applicator according to claim 1 a non-lethal dose per surface of the Acaridae-attracting composition according to claim 1; b) contacting the cloth with the surface of the article suspected of having Acaridae alive. Preferably contact for at least 0.5 hours. More preferably at least 1 hour. The method, cloth or kit of any one of claims 1-2, wherein the cloth is a non-woven cloth, preferably felt. The method, cloth or kit of any one of claims 1-3, wherein the cloth comprises at least 10% wool, preferably 20% wool, more preferably 30% wool and 70% viscose. The method, cloth or kit according to any of claims 1-4, wherein the cloth has an average density of between 5 mg / cm ² and 70 mg / cm ² , preferably between 15 mg / cm 2 and 50 mg / cm 2 . The method, cloth or kit of any one of claims 1-5, wherein the cloth values on the CIELCH color scale of L * <50; C * has> 50 and 240 <h ° <300; and is preferably dark blue. The method, cloth or kit of any one of claims 1-6, wherein the unit dose applicator is a nebulizer, preferably with a spray nozzle, more preferably adapted to deliver a dose of the aqueous composition non-lethal to Acaridae. The method, cloth or kit of any one of claims 1-7, wherein the unit dose applicator is also the container of the aqueous composition, preferably this container is interchangeable with respect to the other components of the unit dose applicator. BE2018 / 5846 The method, cloth or kit of any one of claims 1-8, wherein the container is non-permeable to all compounds in the aqueous composition, more preferably wherein the container is sealed and must be opened for use, with more preferably wherein both the container and the lid are made of aluminum. The method, cloth or kit of any one of claims 1-9, wherein the aqueous synergistic solution is a lure for luring Acaridae, wherein the lure is limonene, one or more alluring enhancers selected from the group of citronellal, linaloöl, geranyl acetate, caryophyllene, caryophyllene oxide and / or nerylacetate, and an emulsifier, preferably polysorbate. The composition of any one of claims 1-10, comprising between 10 ^-3 and 10 ⁴ ng / pl of essential oils from Melissa officinalis and / or Cymbopogon citratus and / or Cymbopogon flexuosus citraliferum as the attractant and stimulants, more preferably between 10 ^-2 and 10 ³ ng / pl of essential oils from Melissa officinalis and / or Cymbopogon citratus and / or Cymbopogon flexuosus citraliferum, more preferably between 10 ^-1 and 10 ² ng / µl essential oils from Melissa officinalis and / or Cymbopogon citratus and / or Cymbopogon flexuosus citraliferum, more preferably between 1 and 10 ng / pl of essential oils from Melissa officinalis and / or Cymbopogon citratus and / or Cymbopogon flexuosus citraliferum, most preferably with a concentration ratio between 10: 1 and 1:10 of the essential oils from Melissa officinalis and Cymbopogon flexuosus citraliferum. A method of eliminating Acaridae, comprising the steps of: i) performing the method according to any of claims 2, using a kit according to any of claims 1, 3-11; ii) removing the cloth from the article that probably contains Acaridae. The method of claim 12, further comprising the step of washing or freezing the cloth after step ii, preferably washing at higher than 50 ° C or freezing at lower than -15 ° C, more preferably washing at higher than 65 ° C or freeze at less than -25 ° C. The method, cloth or kit of any one of claims 1-14, wherein the cloth containing Acaridae is used to detect, count or detect the presence of Acaridae. ⁵⁰ BE2018 / 5846 The method, cloth or kit of any one of claims 1-14, wherein the Acaridae are selected from Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus and Dermatophagoides farinae.