Can Head Lice Reproduce on Their Own?
WouterHead lice are able to reproduce on their own in some cases, but not always. This is because head lice require the donation of a male louse to fertilize its eggs. The mating process can take more than half an hour, and both male and female lice must separate after the mating process.
Fortunately, head lice do not spread disease organisms. However, they can be passed from one human to another through head-to-head contact or inanimate objects. Using an over-the-counter lice repellent can help you avoid transferring head lice to others. There are also ways to treat and prevent the spread of head lice if you have them.
Head lice are small, wingless creatures that live for about 28 days. They have three stages: an egg, nymph, and an adult. Eggs are laid near the head, within four to six millimeters. They cannot survive farther away. After hatching, the nymph stage begins. The nymph stage develops into an adult head louse within seven days. Adult lice lay up to ten eggs a day. Newly-hatched eggs take 12 to 14 days to develop into adulthood.
The best way to prevent the spread of head lice is to wash bedding and clothing in hot water. Also, freeze hair ties to kill off any live lice. Using pesticide sprays to kill the lice is not recommended as these sprays may expose your household to chemicals. Furthermore, these chemicals can be harmful if applied to furniture. Instead, the safest way to eliminate these insects is by vacuuming. Vacuuming also removes any hairs with attached nits.
