Take the Homework, Leave the Lice

Aug 20, 2019 | Pest Control

As the little ones make their way back to the classroom, the chances of them being exposed to lice grows exponentially. Let’s look at what lice are and what to do if your family becomes exposed.

Lice are flat, wingless parasites. They feed on blood and are commonly mistaken for dandruff. There are three common types of human lice. The two most likely to come in contact with your family are head lice and body lice.

While head lice will remain on the scalp unless disturbed by scratching, body lice live on clothing and other fabrics such as bedding; and contrary to popular belief, socioeconomic factors have no impact on who can catch lice.

While no one wants an infestation in the first place, some tips to prevent lice include: not sharing personal items such as  hats, towels, and hairbrushes with others; and washing clothes in hot water to prevent an outbreak. Should you believe that you have a lice infestation, it is important to collect all clothing, bedding, towels, and any other linens from around the home and wash them immediately in hot water.

While you can reach out to a licensed pest control company for information on how to deal with lice, these infestations are considered a medical problem and a medical professional should be contacted if you suspect an infestation. With back to school season in full swing, we hope these tips help to prevent an outbreak in your home.