How can lice be bought? - briefly
Lice are sold by specialized suppliers that cater to research, education, or pest‑control training, often through online catalogs or direct contact. Purchases usually require proof of legitimate purpose and adherence to local regulations governing the trade of live insects.
How can lice be bought? - in detail
Obtaining live lice for research, education, or controlled study involves several established channels. Commercial entomology suppliers maintain colonies of Pediculus humanus capitis and Pediculus humanus corporis, offering them in sealed containers with appropriate host material. Orders are placed through catalogues or online portals, requiring the purchaser to specify life stage (nymph or adult) and quantity. Suppliers typically ship under regulated conditions, using insulated packaging to preserve temperature and prevent escape.
Academic institutions may acquire specimens directly from university‑affiliated insectaries. Faculty or graduate students submit a formal request to the department’s animal resources office, providing a project justification and an Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC) approval number when applicable. The insectary staff then prepares the lice, records lineage data, and arranges courier delivery with a documented chain of custody.
Online marketplaces occasionally list lice as novelty items or for educational kits. Buyers must verify that the vendor complies with local health regulations and that the product is labeled as “non‑viable” or “preserved” if live insects are prohibited. Purchasing from such sources often requires age verification and a signed acknowledgment of responsibility for safe handling.
Regulatory considerations include:
- Compliance with national and regional pest‑control statutes.
- Acquisition permits for cross‑border shipments, especially when the source country classifies lice as a quarantine pest.
- Documentation of intended use to satisfy customs and agricultural inspection agencies.
Proper handling after receipt involves:
- Inspecting packaging for breaches.
- Transferring lice to a secure containment unit (e.g., ventilated petri dish with host hair or artificial membrane).
- Maintaining a controlled environment (temperature 30 °C, humidity 70 %) to sustain viability.
- Recording accession details in a laboratory inventory system.
By following these procedures, researchers can reliably source lice while adhering to legal, ethical, and biosafety standards.