Head Lice Control: How To Get Rid of Head Lice

This page is a general Head Louse control guide. Using the products and methods suggested you will get control of Head Lice. Although Solutions Pest & Lawn does not sell products for the scalp, we do sell products for the home and furniture that will get rid of Head Lice in these areas. Follow this guide and use the recommended products and we guarantee 100% control of Head Lice in the home.

It’s scary to think but anyone can get Head Lice, and an infestation can occur in homes and businesses.

They are about 2.5 to 3.5mm in length, have light brown to tan bodies, and feed on the scalps of humans.

They are most commonly found in humans scalps but can transfer to pillows, mattresses, furniture, and items of clothing.

Head lice are most commonly found in children ages 3 to 11 but a lice infestation can affect anyone on the household. They occur when Lice are transferred from either head-to-head contact or by sharing items of clothing or occupying the same lounging areas with another infected person.

According to the CDC, head lice do not transmit any diseases, but they can cause severe itching, irritability, and loss of sleep.

Identification

Identifying head lice is extremely important for complete control. To treat, you need to know that you are dealing with Head Lice and not another kind of pest. Below are some of the traits that set Head Lice apart:

• Adults are about 2.5 to 3.5mm in length (about the size of a sesame seed).
• Eggs are white to yellow to brown and are attached to the hairs of the head (often referred to as “nits”).
• Adults have six legs
• Adults could range in color from white to brown to tan in color.
• Adults have small antennae.
• They have claws in each leg to quickly run through the hairs of your scalp.
• Are most active in the dark and avoid light.
• Finding “nits” ¼ of an inch from the base of hair shafts suggests a person is infested with head lice.

Inspection

Inspection is crucial for control. Before you can treat you need to know if you indeed have Head Lice. To do this you will focus your inspection to your scalp of you and your loved ones.

Where to Inspect

Begin your inspection in your head. Look at the base of hair shafts of everyone in the household.

What To Look For

You’re looking for Adult Head Lice and nits (or eggs). Head lice are elusive and abhor light, so use a comb to carefully look through the scalp. Eggs are yellow to white to brown in color they will usually be located at the base of hair shafts, if you have various “nits” ¼ of an inch from the base of hair shafts this is a sign on an infestation.

Treatment

Once you have confirmed Head Lice activity, it is time to begin treatment. Remember to read all product labels and follow the application instructions on these labels, and stay safe by wearing personal protective equipment (PPE).

Step 1 - Preparation

In this step, you will prepare your home for treatment and will apply products to your scalp.

Begin by vacuuming and washing and drying on high heat all your bedding (pillow cases, covers, and sheets) and toys or stuffed animals that kids frequent. Next, you will apply treatment to your head by using shampoo products that contain pyrethrin or permethrin two very effective active ingredients found in a variety of the best over-the-counter products for Head Lice.

Step 2 - Indoor Treatment

Now you can begin treatment indoors. You will use one product, Sterifab. This product is perfect to be used on furniture, mattress, and lounging areas.

Sterifab

Sterifab comes in a ready to use aerosol spray. Spray directly on furniture, mattresses, carpets, and cracks and crevices in all areas where the infestation occurred.

Do not let people or pets enter areas treated until spray has dried.

Prevention

Prevention is the final step for complete control. There are many things you can do to prevent Head Lice. Start by avoiding sharing items of self-care that are used on the scalp like combs, towels, or even helmets.

Avoiding storing pieces of clothing in shared closets, like scarfs and coats. Avoid head to head interactions or activities, especially if you have children who frequent schools or nurseries.

Key Takeaways

• Remember to properly inspect your scalp before applying treatment. Make sure that you indeed are suffering from Head Lice and not another form of pest.
• Remember to vacuum and wash your bedding and any items that are washable and drying them on high heat. This will create preliminary control of Head Lice.
• And finally, remember to read all product labels and follow their application instructions, and stay safe by wearing personal protective equipment.