If you’re concerned about head lice or their nits (eggs) remaining on your carpet, furniture, or inside your car, vacuum them up. If adults, they’re probably dead; if nits, they won’t have access to the human head and will shortly die.

There are certain methods that you can take for attempted prevention. These methods decrease your overall risk for contracting lice. There is no way to guarantee 100% that you will not get lice.

Lice, singularly known as louse, are found in every country and continent. There exist over 3,000 different species of these wingless insects that are currently classified as disease causing in humans.

Head lice are parasitic insects that feed on human blood and cause severe itching on the head from their bites. Pediculosis is the general term used for lice infestation of the body or hair with adult lice, larvae, and their nits (eggs).

The average speed of a louse is 3.75 inches per minute. This is equivalent to 18.75 feet in one hour, and approximately 450 feet per day. This is over the length of one football field.

Currently, over 80% of all schools in the United States have implemented this “No-Nit” policy, stating that any student found with the presence of lice or nits will be dismissed from school until the presence of the lice or nits has been removed.

Lice were prevalent even before the recording of history had begun. The earliest recorded presence of head lice dates back over one million years ago. This research was completed using DNA technology, and has identified two distinct lineages.

Pediculus humanus capitis, commonly known as head lice, are highly contagious, and lice infestations can be difficult to eradicate. The transmission of lice is accomplished through close contact or the sharing of personal items.

When submerged into water, lice take on a suspended state of activity. The lice hold on tightly with their claws for life, but do not drown. Transmission is then possible by the sharing of towels, clothing, or other personal items.

First we need to understand the life cycle of the louse. An adult louse can live up to 30 or 40 days on the human host. In this time, the female can lay up to 90 eggs (nits), which will incubate for 7 to 10 days and then hatch. After ten days, the hatched lice mature into adults and the cycle repeats itself.