Where do body lice lay eggs? - briefly
Body lice deposit their eggs on the fabric of clothing, especially along seams and folds, where the eggs remain attached until hatching. The newly hatched nymphs then move onto the host’s skin to feed.
Where do body lice lay eggs? - in detail
Body lice (Pediculus humanus corporeus) deposit their eggs on the fabric of clothing rather than on the human skin. The female inserts each egg into a seam or fold of the garment, securing it with a cement‑like substance that hardens within minutes. Preferred sites include the armpit area, waistline, groin, and any region where fabric layers overlap, because these locations provide warmth, protection from removal, and proximity to the host’s body heat.
Each female can lay 6–10 eggs per day, up to 300 over her lifespan. Eggs, called nits, measure about 0.8 mm in length and are attached at an angle to the fiber, making them difficult to dislodge. The cement adheres to both the fiber and the egg shell, ensuring that the nit remains in place until hatching, which occurs after 7–10 days at typical ambient temperatures (20–30 °C). After emergence, the nymph immediately moves to the host’s skin to feed.
The strategic placement of eggs on clothing serves several functions:
- Protection from grooming – nits are hidden beneath layers of fabric, reducing the chance of mechanical removal during bathing or scratching.
- Thermal stability – the insulated environment of garments maintains a temperature favorable for embryonic development.
- Proximity to the host – once hatched, the newly emerged lice can quickly locate the skin surface for a blood meal.
Removal of infested clothing, thorough washing at temperatures above 50 °C, or drying on high heat eliminates the eggs. In the absence of proper laundering, the nits remain viable for several weeks, perpetuating the infestation cycle.