What do lice look like in a house? - briefly
Head lice are tiny, 2–3 mm long, grayish‑white insects with six legs and a flattened body that clings to hair shafts near the scalp. Nits appear as oval, whitish eggs firmly attached to hair strands, often resembling dandruff.
What do lice look like in a house? - in detail
Lice that infest a residence are tiny, wing‑less insects with a flattened, elongated body. Adult head lice measure 2–4 mm in length, are gray‑white to tan, and have a six‑legged, crab‑like gait. Their heads are broader than their bodies, and each antenna is short, consisting of five segments. The abdomen displays six visible segments, each bearing fine, hair‑like setae that give a slightly fuzzy appearance.
Body lice, which can also be present in a home, are slightly larger—about 3–5 mm—and have a more robust, oval shape. Their coloration ranges from light gray to brown, often darkening after feeding. Unlike head lice, body lice lay eggs in the seams of clothing and bedding rather than on hair shafts.
Nymphs, the immature stages of both species, resemble miniature adults but are translucent and lack fully developed genitalia. They progress through three molts, each lasting approximately 7–10 days, before reaching maturity.
Key visual identifiers include:
- Size: 2–5 mm, visible to the naked eye but easily missed without close inspection.
- Color: Pale gray to brown, sometimes appearing darker after a blood meal.
- Body shape: Flattened, elongated, with a broader head (head lice) or a more rounded outline (body lice).
- Legs: Six short legs ending in claw‑like tarsi that grasp hair shafts or fabric fibers.
- Eggs (nits): Oval, 0.8 mm long, cemented to hair or fabric at a 45‑degree angle; shells are translucent to white, becoming darker as embryos develop.
In a typical household, lice are most often found in:
- Human hair, especially near the scalp, behind ears, and at the nape.
- Personal items such as hats, scarves, and hairbrushes.
- Bedding, pillowcases, and mattress seams where eggs may be attached.
- Clothing seams and folds, particularly in garments not regularly washed at high temperatures.
Detection requires systematic inspection of these locations, using a fine‑toothed comb or magnification to differentiate lice from dandruff or lint. Prompt identification of the insect’s morphology enables accurate treatment and prevention strategies.