How Long Head Lice Live Off Body

It’s difficult to know how long head lice live off the body. The adult louse lays up to five or six eggs per day on the human host. The eggs are in nit shells near the scalp. They lay their eggs and then molt several times over the next nine to fifteen days. The louse dies when its host is removed. But, before it dies, it will still live off the body for up to two days.

The Centers for Disease Control estimates that between six to twelve million people get lice every year. Most of these infections occur in children under the age of eleven. These kids often share their hair and are in close contact. Because head lice can’t hop, jump, or swim, they must feed on humans in order to survive.

While head lice can live off the body for up to four weeks, body lice can live for up to two weeks. A female louse can lay up to 50 or 150 eggs in her lifetime. Incubation time varies according to temperature and the proximity of the eggs. Adults live for at least three weeks.

To kill head lice, you should make sure that all your head coverings are cleaned properly. Use hot water and a dryer that reaches a high enough temperature. You can also boil hair brushes and combs for 10 minutes to kill lice. Then, seal them in a plastic bag to prevent them from spreading.