Kill Lice Without Insecticides

Written by: Rose Kivi • Edited by: Donna Cosmato
Updated May 28, 2010 • Related Guides: Hair

Not only are pesticides harmful to your health, there have been increasing reports lice shampoos containing insecticides are not working. Lice have developed a resistance to many insecticides. Using natural methods not only saves your health and the environment, they actually work.

Getting rid of lice without the use of insecticides takes patience and persistence. The lice comb is the most affective lice removal method. Lice combs can be purchased at most pharmacies. The LiceMeister Comb is a good lice comb recommended by the Pediculosis Association. The lice comb is a fine toothed comb that traps lice and eggs in the teeth of the comb. The use of a lice comb removes one-hundred percent of lice and eggs, completely eliminating infestation. Because lice are very contagious, it is important to treat every person in the household.

How to Use a Lice Comb

Run the lice comb through the hair, starting at the scalp and brushing through to the ends of the hair. Dip the comb in a cup of water to remove lice and eggs from the comb. The water drowns and kills the lice and eggs.

Work on small sections of the hair at a time, eventually combing all sections of the hair. Repeat combing of the hair with the lice comb until no more lice or eggs are seen on the lice comb.

Repeat the process of combing the hair with a lice comb every day, until no lice or eggs are found.

Preventing Re-Infestation

Head lice cannot live for very long without a food source. Lice can only live for six to twenty-four hours in carpet or upholstery. Lice eggs (nits) found in upholstery and carpet usually will not hatch because they need warmth to hatch and survive.

Even though lice cannot live long off of a person's head, it is still important to vacuum and wash linens to prevent re-infestation. Lice move quickly and will crawl onto a person's head when given an opportunity.

Linens and clothes do not need to be washed in a special manner. Washing with normal laundry soap in any temperature water will drown and kill them. Wash linens and clothes when lice is first found and after last lice combing treatment.

Soak all hair brushes and hair accessories in water to drown and kill lice. Do this after every use, until lice infestation is completely gone.

Vacuum all carpets and upholstery (including automobile carpet and upholstery) on a daily basis until lice infestation is completely gone.

liz jimenez Jul 8, 2011 4:54 PM

for sure

If your childs head is not sensitive try using apple vinegar washing their hair with it like if it was just water then put a hair cap on it to keep lice inside cap for about ten min,that will do the trick. Then i put conditioner in it and dont rinse out completely and run comb thru it, it helps get the bugs out easier they slide out. Then just rinse the rest of the conditioner out when done. Do this at least every few days and you will be lice free.

Lara Stewart Nov 4, 2010 2:20 PM

RE: Kill Lice Without Insecticides

isprey-

Rose is correct. I have two long-haired girls, and have successfully treated both of them for lice using a lice comb. The trick is to comb very small sections of hair at a time. It's time consuming, but effective!

Rose Kivi May 5, 2010 3:36 PM

Long Hair

A lice comb is effective with long hair. It is just more difficult to drag the comb through long hair. To make it easier, spread conditioner through your hair and detangle your hair with a regular comb before running the lice comb through your hair.

isprey May 5, 2010 6:11 AM

Good advice for short hair! but completely useless for long hair :)

Kill Lice Without Insecticides

How to Use a Lice Comb

Preventing Re-Infestation

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