How can you treat a house for lice? - briefly
Eliminate all contaminated fabrics by washing them in water at least 130 °F and drying on high heat, then vacuum carpets, upholstery, and floor seams, discarding the vacuum bag. Apply a licensed residual insecticide spray to cracks, baseboards, and furniture, following label directions for contact time and safety precautions.
How can you treat a house for lice? - in detail
Treat a home infested with lice requires a systematic approach that eliminates live insects, their eggs, and any potential sources of reinfestation.
Begin by isolating all personal items. Place clothing, bedding, and washable fabrics in sealed bags for 48 hours, then launder at the hottest temperature the material can tolerate (≥130 °F/54 °C). Dry on high heat for at least 30 minutes. Non‑washable items should be sealed in plastic bags for the same period to suffocate any remaining stages.
Clear the environment of clutter to expose surfaces. Vacuum carpets, rugs, upholstered furniture, and mattress seams thoroughly; discard the vacuum bag or clean the canister immediately after use. Follow vacuuming with steam treatment on fabrics that can withstand high temperatures, as steam above 130 °F kills both lice and nits.
Apply an EPA‑registered lice spray or aerosol to cracks, crevices, baseboards, and the undersides of furniture. Follow label instructions regarding concentration, exposure time, and ventilation. For households preferring non‑chemical methods, sprinkle diatomaceous earth on carpet edges and vacuum after 24 hours, or use a portable heat chamber set to 130 °F for items that can be placed inside.
Address bedding and mattresses directly. Encase mattresses and box springs in zippered, lint‑free covers designed for pest control; keep covers sealed for at least two weeks. For mattresses that cannot be encased, treat with a lice‑specific spray and repeat after seven days.
Implement a monitoring schedule. Inspect all family members weekly for live insects or viable eggs. Conduct a second round of cleaning and treatment 7–10 days after the initial effort, targeting any newly hatched lice that escaped the first cycle.
Maintain preventive practices: keep personal items separate, avoid sharing hats or hair accessories, and wash newly acquired clothing before use. Consistent execution of these steps eradicates the infestation and reduces the risk of recurrence.