While lice are not a pest that we treat here at Insight, they are a pest that everyone dreads. Lice do not jump or fly, but they quickly reproduce and will travel from surfaces that are touching one another. For example, lice can travel onto jackets, backpacks, and from a brush to someone’s head. Then if another person’s jacket or backpack comes into contact with an infected person’s items, the lice can easily travel from one item to another. This is why it can be so easy for lice to spread at school.
Lice Facts
Lice feed on the blood of humans, however, they do not carry diseases. The main issue is that lice reproduce quickly and just a few can turn into an infestation. An adult lice can lay about 10 eggs every day. When nits (lice eggs) hatch, they leave their shell in the hair and quickly grow. Individuals with lice may notice that their head, the back of their neck and ears become itchy, resulting in dermatitis.
How to Get Rid of Lice
When someone gets lice, all of the insects and nits have to be removed and die for the lice to be eliminated. Here are a few tips for getting rid of lice:
- Wash all clothes and bedding items the person with the lice used the 48 hours prior to finding lice.
- Cover the person’s head in conditioner, make sure the scalp is coated.
- Let the conditioner sit on the head for at least 15 minutes with a shower cap placed over the head and hair. This is an important step as the combination of conditioner and a shower cap will kill the lice.
- Use a special lice comb to remove the dead lice and nits. Begin at the scalp and comb all the way through the section of hair you are brushing. It may help to dip the comb in a bowl of warm water prior to brushing.
- Wipe the comb after every brush to remove any lice or eggs gathered.
- Comb through the whole head of hair, it may help to separate the hair into sections prior to combing.
- Once you have combed through the entire head of hair, rinse out the conditioner, then recomb the rinsed hair following the same steps in 4&5.
- Check other family members for evidence of lice.
- Repeat this process every 2-3 days for 2 weeks or until the lice and nits are gone.
What If I Tried the Wet Combing Method and There Are Still Lice?
If lice and nits are persistent, there are other options, lice treatment products are available over the counter for purchase. Some products include sprays, shampoos, gels and lotions. You may consider seeing your general practitioner if the issue persists or if there are recurrent episodes with lice.
Need Help With Other Pests?
Lice can be difficult to get rid of, just like other pests. Contact us if you are having issues with spiders or earwigs!
