How many nits does a louse produce? - briefly
A female head louse typically deposits about 6–10 nits daily, accumulating roughly 50–100 eggs during her lifetime.
How many nits does a louse produce? - in detail
A female head louse typically lays between 6 and 10 eggs over her lifespan, which lasts about 30 days under optimal conditions. Egg production begins after the first blood meal, usually 2–3 days after hatching. The rate of oviposition increases with temperature; at 30 °C a louse may deposit up to 12 eggs, while at cooler temperatures (20 °C) the total often remains under 8.
Key factors influencing the total number of nits per adult:
- Age of the female – younger adults produce fewer eggs; peak output occurs between days 5 and 15 of adult life.
- Blood availability – frequent feeding supports higher fecundity; scarcity reduces egg laying.
- Environmental humidity – moderate humidity (40–60 %) promotes normal development; extreme dryness can halt oviposition.
- Species – body lice (Pediculus humanus corporis) lay 5–7 eggs per clutch, often producing 3–4 clutches, while pubic lice (Pthirus pubis) lay 2–3 eggs per day, totaling about 30 nits over a 30‑day lifespan.
Eggs are attached firmly to hair shafts near the scalp, typically within 1 cm of the skin. After 7–10 days, the nits hatch into nymphs, which mature in another 7–10 days. Because each adult can generate roughly a dozen offspring, a small infestation can expand rapidly if untreated.