What do clothing lice look like and how can you fight them? - briefly
Clothing lice are tiny, wingless insects about 1 mm long, translucent to brownish, with a flattened body and clawed legs that cling to fabric fibers. Effective control includes washing infested garments in hot water (≥60 °C), drying on high heat, and applying a residual insecticide spray or steam treatment to surviving items.
What do clothing lice look like and how can you fight them? - in detail
Clothing‑associated lice are the adult form of Pediculus humanus corporis. They measure 2–4 mm in length, have a flattened, elongated body, and lack the broader head shield seen in head lice. The coloration ranges from light tan to reddish‑brown, becoming darker after a blood meal. Legs are short, each ending in claw‑like tarsi that grip fabric fibers. Antennae are short, and the abdomen shows visible segmentation. Eggs (nits) are ovoid, 0.8 mm long, firmly attached to seams, folds, or under collars with a cement‑like substance that resists removal.
The life cycle proceeds from egg to three nymphal instars before reaching adulthood, completing in 7–10 days under optimal temperature (25‑30 °C) and humidity (70‑80 %). Nymphs resemble adults but are smaller and pale, gaining full pigmentation after the final molt. Feeding occurs several times daily; each bite may cause itching and a reddish spot.
Effective eradication requires a combined approach:
- Laundering: Wash contaminated garments, bedding, and towels at ≥60 °C; dry on high heat for at least 30 minutes. Items that cannot be heated should be sealed in plastic bags for a minimum of 72 hours.
- Mechanical removal: Use a fine‑toothed comb or lint roller on fabrics to extract live insects and nits; discard collected material in sealed containers.
- Insecticidal treatment: Apply EPA‑registered pyrethroid spray or permethrin lotion to infested clothing, following label instructions for concentration and exposure time. Re‑treat after 7 days to target newly hatched nits.
- Environmental sanitation: Vacuum carpets, upholstery, and cracks where lice may hide; empty vacuum bags into sealed trash bags. Clean personal items (e.g., helmets, backpacks) with disinfectant wipes.
- Personal hygiene: Encourage regular bathing and change of underclothing; maintain clean living conditions to reduce re‑infestation risk.
Monitoring after intervention involves inspecting seams and folds daily for at least two weeks. Persistent presence of live lice or viable nits indicates the need for repeat treatment or professional pest‑control assistance.