How to kill a clothing louse? - briefly
Wash infested garments in water at least 60 °C (140 °F) for 30 minutes and tumble‑dry on the hottest setting for 20 minutes. If laundering is impractical, treat the items with a textile‑approved contact insecticide or seal them with a pesticide‑treated sachet for the specified exposure time.
How to kill a clothing louse? - in detail
Effective elimination of a clothing louse requires a combination of physical, chemical, and preventive actions.
Physical methods destroy all life stages.
- Hot water washing at ≥ 60 °C for at least 30 minutes; include garments, bedding, and accessories.
- High‑temperature drying for a minimum of 30 minutes at ≥ 70 °C.
- Freezing items at ≤ –20 °C for 48 hours when heat treatment is impractical.
Chemical options target the insect directly.
- Apply a pyrethrin‑based spray to infested fabric, following manufacturer dosage and safety instructions.
- Use a permethrin solution (0.5 % concentration) for thorough soaking of washable items, then rinse.
- For non‑washable articles, treat with a contact insecticide containing deltamethrin, ensuring even coverage and adequate drying time.
Environmental sanitation reduces re‑infestation risk.
- Vacuum closets, carpets, and upholstered furniture; discard the vacuum bag or clean the canister immediately.
- Seal non‑treated items in airtight plastic bags for two weeks to starve any hidden lice.
- Replace or launder curtains, upholstery covers, and shoe insoles regularly.
Monitoring confirms success.
- Inspect clothing and skin daily for several weeks after treatment; any surviving lice indicate incomplete eradication.
- Use sticky traps placed near storage areas to detect residual activity.
Implementing these procedures in sequence—heat or freezing, targeted insecticide application, and strict hygiene—provides reliable eradication of clothing louse populations.