Headlice Prevention
Without totally isolating your child/children there is no 100% way to prevent headlice infestation, but there are ways you can minimise the risk of being the next blood source for these little suckers! Knowledge of their habits can be helpful.
We already know they can't fly or jump. Head lice are only found on the human head. They are not found on any other part of the human body, (there are other types of lice that do infest other parts of the human body). They are not found on any other animal (please don't think you need to treat old rover). Head lice will not live on furniture, hats, bedding, carpet or anywhere else in the environment. Treating anything other than the human head will not eradicate head lice.
Every day general hair care is the best way to discourage head lice so they get disturbed in their blood sucking quest
Headlice FAQs (Frequently asked questions)
Q. Is having headlice is a sign of poor hygiene
A. Not at all. Headlice like clean, dirty, short, long, straight, curly hair - all they want is your blood! If you think about it, it is probably easier for headlice to move around in clean hair - without bits of dirt/dandruff to climb over!
Q. Can one can catch headlice from birds or other animals?
fact No, headlice only like humans! They feed off the blood below the human scalp alone.
Q. Can Headlice jump or fly?
A. Lice have no wings (so they can't fly) & they can't jump, either. They spread by crawling from head to head, or affected item to head (e.g. brushes, hair clips, hats etc).
Q. How long can lice survive off the head?
A. A well fed louse should only last up to 2 days off a human host, depending on when it last had a meal. During this time, it generally will not lay any eggs ("nits").
Q. How long is the life cycle of a head louse?
A. Headlice live for 4 - 5 weeks from nit (egg) to adult louse. Females lay 4 - 5 nits per day in the last two weeks of their lives.