How can lice be poisoned with dichlorvos at home? - briefly
Apply a diluted dichlorvos solution to the scalp and hair, allow the prescribed exposure period, then rinse thoroughly; wear protective gloves and follow label directions to reduce health hazards.
How can lice be poisoned with dichlorvos at home? - in detail
Dichlorvos, a volatile organophosphate, can be employed to eliminate head‑lice infestations when standard over‑the‑counter treatments fail. The compound acts by inhibiting acetylcholinesterase, leading to paralysis and death of the insect. Proper handling is essential to avoid toxicity to humans and pets.
Materials required
- Dichlorvos solution (commercially labeled as «DDVP»), typically 2 % concentration
- Protective gloves (nitrile or latex)
- Protective eyewear
- Disposable plastic tray or shallow container
- Fine‑toothed lice comb
- Soft cloths or paper towels
- Sealable plastic bags for waste
Preparation
- Wear gloves and eyewear before opening the container.
- Dilute the 2 % solution with distilled water to achieve a 0.5 % working concentration; mix 1 part dichlorvos with 3 parts water in the tray.
- Place the tray on a stable surface away from food, children, and animals.
Application procedure
- Separate hair into manageable sections using hair clips.
- Saturate each section with the diluted solution, ensuring thorough coverage of scalp and hair shafts.
- Allow the liquid to remain on the hair for 10 minutes; the volatile nature of dichlorvos will disperse the active ingredient throughout the hair matrix.
- After the exposure period, rinse hair with lukewarm water and a mild, non‑medicated shampoo to remove residual chemical.
- Immediately comb the hair with a lice comb, starting at the scalp and moving toward the tips, to extract dead lice and nits.
- Dispose of the comb and any contaminated cloths in sealable bags; seal and discard according to local hazardous‑waste guidelines.
Safety precautions
- Conduct the treatment in a well‑ventilated room; open windows and use a fan to disperse vapors.
- Do not apply to broken skin, open wounds, or irritated scalp.
- Keep the chemical out of reach of children and pets; store the original container in a locked cabinet.
- Monitor for signs of exposure (headache, dizziness, nausea) and seek medical attention if symptoms appear.
- Avoid repeated applications; a single treatment followed by thorough combing usually suffices.
Post‑treatment monitoring
- Inspect hair daily for three consecutive days; repeat combing if live lice are observed.
- Maintain clean bedding, hats, and clothing by washing at ≥ 60 °C or sealing in plastic bags for 72 hours to prevent re‑infestation.
When executed with strict adherence to dosage, protective equipment, and ventilation, dichlorvos can serve as an effective, though hazardous, method for eradicating head‑lice in a residential environment.