Head Lice Control

Treating People for Lice

Combing lice from a child's hair. Conventional treatment for head lice usually involves the application of a pediculicide, which is an insecticide specially formulated to control lice on humans.

Most over-the-counter pediculicides contain either synergized pyrethrins or permethrin. Prescription pediculicides containing lindane or other ingredients are also available from your physician.

"Home remedies" using kerosense and other chemicals not intended for use on humans must be avoided. In most cases, aside from being ineffective, these methods are more toxic and hazardous than using properly-registered pediculicides.

Be sure to consult your physician or health care provider before using any pediculicide product. As with any pesticide, be sure to read, understand, and follow the label instructions. Be especially careful not to get pediculicide products into the eyes of the person being treated.

Most pediculicides are formulated as shampoos, creams, or lotions that are massaged into the individual's scalp, left on for a period of time specified on the product label, and then lathered and rinsed away. Most products are applied as lotions or gels and are allowed to remain on the scalp for several minutes before being lathered, but others are used like ordinary shampoos. It's important to read the label for specific instructions.

Proper treatment not only kills the lice, but it helps soften the cement holding the nits to the hairs so they can be combed away using a fine-toothed comb that typically is included with the pediculicide shampoo. (Photo courtesy of Barb Ogg, University of Nebraska Cooperative Extension in Lancaster County. You can visit their excellent head lice site here.)

When one person in a household has head lice, it's usually advisable to treat the other family members just as a precaution. At the very least, all members of the family should be carefully examined for lice or nits and treated as needed.

Natural and Organic Head Lice Control

Many people prefer more natural solutions, such as peppermint oil based head lice products. Used properly, with good attention to removing the insects and their nits, these products can be as effective as more conventional insecticides. There are also electronic lice removal devices that do not use chemicals, and which are helpful to people who are chemically sensitive or who simply wish to use non-chemical lice control methods. Homeopathic head lice products are also available.

You also can purchase a convenient all-in-one head lice control kit that helps avoid some of the annoyance and embarrassment of having to purchase various lice control products separately.

Treating Structures, Clothing, and Furnishings for Head Lice

Head lice can sometimes live a few days once after they have fallen, crawled, or been shaken out of a person's, which can result in a treated person (or other members of the family) to be re-infested by lice who crawl back into their hair from furnishings or clothing.

In most cases, a thorough vacuuming and shampooing of furnishings (especially upholstered chairs, carpeting, sofas, mattresses, and bedding), as well as washing or dry-cleaning of all clothing, will remove displaced lice and prevent re-infestation.

In cases where shampooing of furniture is not practical (or when lice continue to re-infest the people in the house, even after proper treatment), you can use a liquid or aerosol insecticide labeled for lice to treat bedding, furnishings and carpeting. Most aerosol head lice sprays use natural or synthetic pyrethins or other botanical ingredients as their active ingredients. Some of these products may cause allergic reactions in people with plant allergies or hay fever, so be sure to read and follow the label directions carefully. Some organic cleaning supplies, such as Kleen Free Naturally, also have some insecticidal activity and are useful for treating head lice in structures and furnishings.

We offer a variety of head lice control products through our online pest control supply store. Note that unless otherwise specified on the label, insecticides must NOT be used on people, pets, or clothing. They are to be used only on bedding and furnishings, unless the label specifically says that they may be used on humans. As with any pesticide, always be sure to read, understand, and follow all label instructions; and seek medical attention immediately in the event of any adverse reaction.

For more information about lice treatment, you can consult the excellent fact sheet on the subject prepared by the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.