How much time passes from nits to lice? - briefly
Nits hatch into nymphs in roughly 7–10 days, and those nymphs mature into adult lice after an additional 9–12 days, making the complete development period about two to three weeks.
How much time passes from nits to lice? - in detail
The egg stage, commonly called a nit, requires approximately 7 days to hatch under normal indoor temperatures (20‑25 °C). After emergence, the juvenile louse passes through three successive molts, each lasting about 2 days. Consequently, the nymphal period totals roughly 6 days. Adding the egg incubation yields a complete development time of 13 days from oviposition to a reproductive adult.
Key points:
- Egg incubation: 6–9 days; temperature and humidity influence the exact duration.
- First nymphal stage: ≈2 days before the first molt.
- Second nymphal stage: ≈2 days before the second molt.
- Third nymphal stage: ≈2 days before reaching adulthood.
- Total cycle: 12–14 days, with 13 days as the average.
Variations arise when environmental conditions deviate from optimal ranges. Cooler temperatures can extend the egg stage to 10 days or more, while higher temperatures (up to 30 °C) may shorten it to 5 days. The entire life cycle culminates when the adult female begins laying new eggs, perpetuating the infestation.