As parents and teachers know, lice infestations are a standard, if unpleasant, fact of life. Most children go through one or two bouts of head lice, especially kids between the ages of 3-12. While they don’t carry disease or present a significant health risk, dealing with lice can be stressful. Aside from the itchiness, a case of head lice (suspected or confirmed) forces kids to miss school and other social activities.
Our guide to managing head lice provides an overview of integrated pest management methods for assessing, treating, and preventing recurrence of lice infestations. It also explores the benefits of non-toxic and low-toxicity approaches. Topics covered include:
- Preventing and managing lice
- Understanding the life cycle of lice
- Non-toxic approaches
- A comparison of common lice pesticides
Successfully and safely keeping lice away requires understanding the pest and carefully evaluating all treatment options before taking action. PRI’s lice control guide outlines the importance of preventative measures, such as inspection with a metal nit comb as soon as an infestation is suspected or confirmed. It also provides details on the potential human health and environmental risks associated with specific lice pesticides, along with important safety tips.
Our goal is to develop tools and resources to help people make informed decisions when choosing pest management strategies. Please visit our Pest Management Resource Center for more information.
