Why do piglets get lice? - briefly
Piglets are prone to lice infestations because immature grooming habits and a delicate skin barrier create an ideal environment for the parasites. High‑density housing and warm, humid conditions accelerate transmission.
Why do piglets get lice? - in detail
Piglets are particularly vulnerable to ectoparasite colonisation because their skin is soft, hair density is low, and immune defenses are still developing. The primary agents responsible for infestation are sucking lice (e.g., Haematopinus suis) and biting lice (e.g., Haematopinus suis subspecies). Several interrelated factors create conditions conducive to lice proliferation:
- Environmental moisture and temperature – Warm, humid housing retains lice eggs and nymphs, accelerating the life cycle from egg to adult within 10–14 days.
- Stocking density – High animal density increases physical contact, facilitating direct transfer of mobile lice and passive movement of detached stages.
- Hygiene practices – Inadequate cleaning of pens, bedding, and feeding equipment leaves organic debris that shelters lice and provides a microhabitat for development.
- Nutritional status – Malnutrition weakens skin integrity and reduces the production of protective sebum, diminishing natural barriers against ectoparasites.
- Genetic susceptibility – Certain breeds exhibit thinner hair coats or reduced grooming behavior, predisposing offspring to higher infestation rates.
Lice infestation follows a predictable biological sequence. Adult females deposit eggs (nits) close to the hair shaft, where they are protected from external disturbances. Upon hatching, nymphs undergo three molts, each stage requiring a blood meal. The rapid reproductive capacity of lice, combined with the limited grooming ability of young swine, results in exponential population growth if unchecked.
Control measures must address each predisposing factor. Environmental management includes maintaining optimal temperature (≈ 20 °C), reducing humidity through ventilation, and implementing regular removal of soiled bedding. Stocking density should be limited to allow adequate space per animal, minimizing direct contact. Routine biosecurity protocols—such as quarantine of new arrivals, thorough cleaning of equipment, and periodic inspection for lice—reduce the introduction and spread of parasites. Nutritional supplementation with essential fatty acids and vitamins supports skin health and immune function, enhancing the animal’s intrinsic resistance.
Chemical interventions, when necessary, involve topical insecticides approved for swine, applied according to label directions to avoid resistance development. Integrated pest management combines chemical treatment with environmental and husbandry improvements, ensuring sustainable reduction of lice populations in piglet cohorts.