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Size: |
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About the size of a sesame seed, with an oval body but very narrow on both ends. About 1/3 inch long. |
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Characteristics: |
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Wingless, small parasitic insects exquisitely adapted to living mainly on the scalp and neck hairs of a human host. Can crawl relatively quickly; but cannot hop, fly, or jump. Six legs grasp hair shafts. All stages of life cycle normally occur on the host. |
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Color: |
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Adults are tan to grayish in color. Eggs (called nits) are dark in color at the time of development but after hatching, egg cases are white. |
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Where Found: |
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Have been recovered from prehistoric mummies. Occur throughout the United States and the world. |
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Habitat: |
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Spend entire life on the hairy part of the human head. Can infest people of all ages, but children are prone to infestations because of their habit of playing in close contact, sharing hats, headphones, combs and brushes, sleeping bags, stuffed animals, and clothing. |
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Food: |
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These insects are ectoparasites of humans and consume blood. |
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Biology: |
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Eggs are laid on head hairs, usually at the junction of the scalp and hair shaft. Egg is coated with a glue-like substance that sticks it to the hair. Most eggs are laid at night. Females produce about three to five eggs in a 24-hour period and live for about 7 to 10 days. Most eggs hatch within 7 to 8 days. To survive, a newly hatched louse must have a blood meal within minutes of birth. Developing lice, or nymphs, take about 7 to 10 days to mature; after an additional day, adult females start laying eggs. Total life span from egg through adult averages about 25 days. Because people have a constant body temperature, females reproduce continuously throughout the year. |
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Damage: |
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Do not penetrate skin. Known to transmit infectious agents from person-to-person. Presence may cause itching and loss of sleep. Saliva and feces may sensitize people to their bites and cause irritation and increase the chance of secondary infection from excessive scratching. Greatest harm associated with Head Lice results from the well-intentioned but misguided use of harmful or toxic substances to eliminate the lice. |
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Invasion: |
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Can be transferred from one person to another during sharing items, such as: hats, combs, pillows, brushes, furry toys, etc. May also remain on bedding or upholstered furniture for a brief period and can re-infest easily. |
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Control: |
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Thoroughly inspect head and neck when intense itching is present. Alert others that Head Lice has been detected. Consult a physician to prescribe an effective treatment. Remove nits (egg sacks) from head with specialized comb usually included with the medication. Remove lice and nits from environment by vacuuming, washing and drying on higher heat cycle. You can also freeze objects such as hats if suspected of being infested. Sometimes the physician may recommend treatment for other family members due to the possibility of spreading between family members. Children can pick this insect up from school. Check head daily and remove nits until infestation is gone, followed by weekly inspection to detect re-infestation. There is no need for pesticide applications as this insect does not live long once off the host. |
