11 Myths About Lice to Stop Them From Spreading
It’s probably the most common pest infestation you can think of: lice! It can sometimes seem impossible to prevent, and everyone has had it at least once in their lifetime.
Lice can be smaller than a grain of rice and will attach themselves to the shafts of your hair. They can take up to a month to hatch and fully mature, so it’s important to get them off of you and out of your house as soon as possible.
That’s why it’s important to work quickly and not waste any time with common wives’ tales about lice.
Today, we’re going to share with you 11 common myths about lice, and some things you can do to get rid of lice.
Myth 1: Only dirty people get infected with lice
False! Lice do not discriminate against their host. They love all types of hair and people. In fact, they’re most attracted to clean and shiny hair.
Myth 2: Lice can fly, that’s why it spreads quickly
False! Although lice spreads quickly, it’s not because they can fly or even jump. Lice can be transmitted by sharing hats, clothes, brushes, combs, backpacks, and even hugs.
Myth 3: Lice spread diseases and infections
False! Lice won’t transmit either, but they do need blood in order to survive, which is why lice are so itchy. However, if lice go untreated, it can cause infections from scratching.
Myth 4: Lice can make you lose sleep
True/False! There’s no neurological reason for you to lose sleep, but lice are most active at night, which is why itching will be the worst when you sleep. If you find you’re having issues sleeping, add lavender oil to your shampoo, and spray it in your room. Lavender can help kill lice, and help with sleep.
Myth 5: Shaving off your hair is the most effective way to get rid of lice
False! Lice only attach themselves to the first ¼ of hair, so there’s no reason to shave anybody’s head when there’s less drastic measures you can take.
Myth 6: Boys get lice more than girls
False! Girls get lice more commonly than boys do because their hair is often longer. However, if your son does have longer hair, he is at a higher risk of getting lice.
Myth 7: Lice can be killed with shampoo and a hot shower
False! Although part of treating lice is using heat and specially formulated shampoos, one quick shower won’t do the trick. You need to use a shampoo that has been clinically formulated to help kill lice, along with a fine-tooth comb. This may take several attempts before they’re gone.
Myth 8: Hair dryers can kill lice
False! Hair dryers cannot get hot enough to kill lice. Even if they could, it would be way too hot for a human head.
Myth 9: Lice can also infect your pets
True/False! Human lice cannot transmit between different species. However, there are species of lice that can infect your pet. Pets will more commonly get fleas or ticks before they get lice.
Myth 10: You only need to wash lice out of hair
False! As we mentioned, lice can be spread through a number of items. When cleaning your home, remember to clean or dispose of:
- Brushes and combs
- Hats and clothes
- Backpacks
- Furniture
- Pillows and beds
- Linens and towels
- Car seats and booster seats
If you want to try some natural ways to get rid of lice, spray or defuse neem oil or eucalyptus oil in your home.
Myth 11: You need special cleaning supplies to clean your home
False! Unlike your hair dryer, your regular dryder will get hot enough to kill lice. Use a vacuum and a lint roller to for larger items like couches and beds. There are additional additives you can use in your laundry to help kill pests.
If you’re unsure about how to clean your home after a lice infestation, call one of our pest control partners at Pest Brigade to help you find out more about how to get rid of lice for good.
Let us know if you have any tips or stories on lice in the comments below!
