Identifying and Treating Lice Infestations

Lice can be found on both mammals and birds. There are three species of lice that prefer mammal hosts, and birds can host up to six species of lice. Mammals and birds are a food source for lice as they feed on the host's sebaceous secretions, blood, skin, and other debris found on the host. While lice typically are not disease carriers, they can cause illness. When an individual suspects they have a lice infestation, they need to identify and treat the problem immediately.

How to Identify Lice -

Lice are quite small, usually less than 10 millimetres in length. Most will vary in length from 2.0 millimetres to 3.7 millimetres. For this reason, they may be difficult to identify without the aid of a magnifying glass. Under a magnifying glass, lice can be easily recognised by their flattened and colourless bodies and their short antennae. A louse's head will be more narrow than its thorax, and a louse's thoracic segments will be fused. This means that the various thoracic segments cannot move independently from the louse's abdomen. Lice have either biting or sucking mouthparts and the last section of a louse's leg will be hooked. This makes it easier for the louse to grip and stay attached to their host. A female louse will be slightly larger than her male counterpart.

Lifecycle of Lice -

The gradual metamorphosis of a louse occurs during three life cycles: egg, nymph, and adult. The entire lifespan of a louse lasts anywhere from 2 to 8 weeks. The freshly laid eggs are automatically attached to the hairs of the female fleas host. The eggs are attached with an extremely sticky liquid, which can make the eggs (nits) difficult to remove without specially formulated products. A pest inspection can help individuals determine if they have a lice infestation.

Treatment Methods -

Good hygiene and the isolation of infected hosts will be important. Furthermore, specialized chemical treatments will be necessary to rid the host of the lice infestation. Whilst the lice eggs have to be combed out of the host's hair, scalp rinses can be sufficient to kill the adult lice. To purchase products such as these, individuals may need to contact a pest control company.