Head Lice Facts

There are three main types of lice: body, hair and pubic lice. The scientific name for a head louse is Pediculus humanus capitis.

Head lice have been around since the beginning of recorded time.

Head lice do not come from the dirt or air or spontaneous generation. Head lice come from other head lice, just like every other species.

Head lice is the #1 reason children are absent from school.

It takes head to head contact or by the sharing of personal objects such as hair ties, scarves, and hats to get head lice.

Head lice are tiny six legged, blood sucking parasites. Each leg is equipped with a claw, enabling the louse to grasp onto the shaft of the hair. They are about the size of a sesame seed.

A female louse lays eggs (nits) twice a day up to 5 nits at a time and lives approximately 30 days. A Head louse needs the warmth of the human body to live.

Head lice cannot jump or fly!

Washing your hair will not kill the lice. Lice can shut their bodies down for up to two hours!

Head lice can only survive off the human head for up to 24 hours.

Head lice only live on human beings so your pets can't catch head lice.

Head lice do not discriminate; anyone can be affected regardless of cleanliness.

Nits (lice eggs) is attached to one side of a hair shaft at an angle. Nits are usually white to light grey in color.

"Nits" are glued to the hair shaft with cement like glue. They must be manually removed.

Most over the counter products and sprays contain toxic pesticides. Head Lice have developed a resistance to these products.*


"Sometimes the medicine is worse than the disease. It is unfortunate that well intentioned parents treating their children with toxic or flammable substances have caused deaths and poisonings."
- Department of Immunology and Infectious Diseases, Harvard School of Public Health

* Never use products containing Lindane, a powerful neurotoxin banned for use in the United Kingdom and given a thumbs down by Consumer Reports.