How can I get rid of head lice and bed bugs?

How can I get rid of head lice and bed bugs? - briefly

Use a pediculicide shampoo or lotion on the scalp, follow the label’s exposure time, then comb wet hair with a fine‑toothed nit comb to remove all nits and repeat after seven days. Wash bedding, clothing, and curtains in hot water, vacuum and steam‑treat upholstered furniture, and apply a registered bed‑bug insecticide or professional heat treatment, repeating the process after a week to eliminate any survivors.

How can I get rid of head lice and bed bugs? - in detail

Eliminating head‑lice infestations requires a systematic approach. Begin with a fine‑toothed comb, wet the hair, and run the comb from scalp to ends every few days for two weeks. Apply an approved pediculicide such as permethrin 1 % or pyrethrin‑based lotion, following label instructions precisely; leave the product on for the recommended time, then rinse thoroughly. Wash all personal items—hats, pillowcases, hairbrushes, and clothing—in hot water (≥ 130 °F) and dry on high heat. Seal non‑washable items in airtight bags for at least two weeks to deprive lice of a host.

For bed‑bug eradication, start by isolating the infested area. Vacuum mattresses, box springs, bed frames, and surrounding furniture, discarding the vacuum bag or cleaning the canister immediately. Launder bedding, curtains, and clothing in hot water and dry on high heat for a minimum of 30 minutes. Encase mattresses and box springs in certified, zippered covers that remain sealed for at least one year. Apply a residual insecticide labeled for bed‑bug control to cracks, crevices, baseboards, and upholstered furniture; follow safety guidelines and re‑treat as directed. Consider using steam (≥ 130 °F) on infested surfaces, as heat penetrates hiding spots. Reduce clutter to limit harborage sites and monitor with sticky traps placed near bed legs and furniture.

If chemical treatments are unsuitable or ineffective, professional heat‑treatment services can raise room temperatures to 135 °F for several hours, killing all life stages. In severe cases, consult a licensed pest‑management professional for integrated pest‑management strategies, including monitoring, targeted pesticide application, and follow‑up inspections.

Maintain vigilance: inspect hair and scalp weekly after treatment, and regularly check sleeping areas for live insects or shed skins. Prompt detection and consistent application of the steps above prevent re‑infestation.