How to treat a house for lice? - briefly
Thoroughly clean all linens, clothing, and fabric surfaces with hot water (minimum 130 °F) and high‑heat drying, then vacuum carpets, upholstery, and cracks, discarding the vacuum bag afterward. Apply a registered household lice spray to remaining areas, follow the product’s re‑treatment interval (usually seven days), and repeat the cleaning cycle to ensure eradication.
How to treat a house for lice? - in detail
Eliminating head‑lice infestations from a residence requires a systematic approach that addresses both the insects on people and their survival sites in the environment.
First, confirm the presence of lice on all occupants. Examine hair and scalp with a fine‑tooth comb, moving the comb from the roots to the tips. Separate live insects from nits; nits are firmly attached to hair shafts and indicate ongoing infestation.
Second, treat affected individuals. Apply a pediculicide approved by health authorities—permethrin 1 % lotion, pyrethrin‑based spray, or dimethicone 0.5 % cream—according to package directions. After the prescribed exposure time, rinse thoroughly and repeat the treatment after seven to ten days to target newly hatched lice. Use a fine‑tooth nit comb daily for two weeks to remove residual nits.
Third, decontaminate personal items. Wash all clothing, bedding, and towels used within the previous 48 hours in hot water (≥ 130 °F/54 °C) and tumble‑dry on high heat for at least 20 minutes. Items that cannot be laundered should be sealed in a plastic bag for two weeks, the typical lifespan of a louse away from a host.
Fourth, address the home environment. Vacuum carpets, upholstered furniture, and floor crevices thoroughly; discard the vacuum bag or empty the canister into a sealed bag and discard it outside the home. For infested hair accessories, hairbrushes, and combs, soak in hot water (≥ 130 °F) for ten minutes, then dry on high heat. Non‑washable items, such as stuffed toys, can be placed in a freezer at –4 °F (–20 °C) for 24 hours to kill any surviving stages.
Fifth, implement preventive measures. Encourage regular scalp inspections, especially in children, and maintain a routine of washing bedding weekly. Limit head‑to‑head contact in communal settings and avoid sharing hats, scarves, hairbrushes, or headphones.
Finally, monitor the situation for at least four weeks. If new lice are detected despite adherence to the protocol, repeat the treatment cycle and consider consulting a healthcare professional for alternative medications or resistance testing.
By following these steps—verification, personal treatment, laundering, environmental cleaning, preventive habits, and ongoing surveillance—the infestation can be eradicated and the risk of recurrence minimized.