Where do clothing lice come from and how to get rid of them? - briefly
Clothing lice are transferred to garments from infested hosts, contaminated luggage, or shared fabrics in crowded or poorly cleaned environments. Eradication requires washing or dry‑cleaning at temperatures above 60 °C, followed by heating, vacuuming, or applying a suitable insecticidal powder to remaining items.
Where do clothing lice come from and how to get rid of them? - in detail
Clothing lice originate from human bodies, not from the fabric itself. Adult females lay eggs on seams, cuffs, and folds of garments that are in close contact with an infested person. Infestation spreads when contaminated clothing is shared, stored together, or left in damp, unheated environments. High‑risk settings include shelters, prisons, refugee camps, and households where laundry facilities are limited. Second‑hand clothing, especially if not laundered at temperatures above 130 °F (54 °C), can also introduce lice.
Elimination requires a multi‑step approach:
- Heat treatment: Wash all affected items in hot water (≥130 °F) for at least 10 minutes; tumble dry on high heat for 30 minutes. If washing machines are unavailable, steam‑iron garments thoroughly.
- Chemical control: Apply an EPA‑registered insecticide spray or powder labeled for clothing lice to items that cannot be heated. Follow label instructions precisely.
- Isolation: Seal untreated clothing in sealed plastic bags for two weeks; lice cannot survive without a host beyond this period.
- Environmental cleaning: Vacuum carpets, upholstery, and storage areas; discard vacuum bags or clean canisters immediately. Treat closets and drawers with a residual insecticide if infestation is extensive.
- Personal hygiene: Bathe the host daily, change into clean clothing, and avoid wearing the same garments for more than 24 hours without laundering.
Prevention focuses on regular laundering at high temperatures, drying on high heat, and avoiding the exchange of personal garments. Maintaining low humidity in storage areas and promptly treating any suspected infestation reduce the likelihood of recurrence.