Identifying Head Lice

Every parent needs to know the facts of lice. Why? Millions of North Americans will get head lice this year. Will you know what to do?

What are Head Lice?

Head lice are small grey or reddish brown bugs (1mm to 4mm Long) depending on their age.
Baby lice are called Nymphs.
Lice live on the human head.
They do not live on pets or on other parts of the body.
They feed on blood and cannot survive off the head for more than 24 to 48 hours without a blood meal.
They also do not hop, jump or fly. Thank God!
Lice lay eggs.
These are tear-drop shaped and are glued to the hair shaft on an angle.
They are also only glued to one side of the hair shaft.
The viable eggs are typically brownish/yellow to caramel in color.
Empty egg cases or dead eggs are called nits. These are clear, opaque, almost see through.
Do not rely on a product that claims to kill lice and their nits as it is the eggs that need to be killed or removed.
Viable lice eggs are never white in colour.
Female lice lay 3 to 5 eggs per day and live for 30 days. They need a male to mate with.
Lice eggs take 7 to 10 days to hatch and another 7 to 10 days to be mature enough to mate.

What do I Look For?

Look for lice and lice eggs in the hot spots.Â These are around the ears, at the crown of the head and at the nape of the neck. It is best to use bright lights and proper magnification when looking. Sunlight is best. Look for red scabs caused by scratching, lice eggs and lice crawling through the hair or sucking blood from the scalp. Lice lay their eggs close to the scalp but look along the whole hair shaft. Do not confuse DEC plugs, hair casts or other hair debris with lice eggs. Remember if it is white like paper or snow. It is not a lice egg.

Here is Another Example

As you can see, the lice egg is clearly attached to one side of the hair shaft. The DEC plug and hair cast surrounds the hair shaft. This dandruff like skin debris also sticks to the hair shaft like a nit but the difference is they are white and they slide easier. You need not concern yourself if you find these during a head check. Before you treat for lice or if you are uncertain, call for our free nit diagnosis. If you do discover live lice and eggs, don't panic. Before you run to the drug store call our hotline or visit our website. We can direct towards safer and effective treatment options. We are also available to assist you with in home head lice removal. Help is available.

Print or View - Head Lice Myths Exposed This pdf file exposes embarrassing and/or dangerous myths commonly believed about head lice. Download Now

Print or View - the Facts of Lice This pdf file is great for sharing. Print it off to distribute to schools, camps or clubs or for your own reference. Download Now

Free Nit Diagnosis by The Lice Detectives

We provide you with accurate verification by phone for a diagnosis of head lice, nits or nit imposters.

Call our office for details on this free service or better yet have one of The LiceSquad's professional Lice Detectives come right to your school, home or organization and provide you with on-site head lice screening services.