Will Head Lice Die in a Hot Car?
The CDC warns that head lice will not die in a hot car. This is because they need a human head to live and feed on. Without a human head, they will dehydrate. The best way to ensure that your car will not become infested with head lice is to remove all your personal belongings from it. Make sure that you remove all your clothing, caps, scarves, and brushes. You should also wait at least two days to ensure that your car is completely clean. After this period, any live lice that were present on your personal belongings will have died.
In addition to removing loose items from your car, make sure that you thoroughly vacuum all seats. You can also use a hand-held vacuum attachment to reach indentations in the headrest material. Using a hand-held vacuum is an excellent way to kill head lice and prevent recurrence.
It is important to note that head lice can live without their human host for a few days. This is usually enough time to breed and find a new host. If you find yourself in a car where the temperature is over 50 degrees Fahrenheit, you should vacuum those areas.
You should also avoid sharing clothing with infested people. Head lice can spread through clothes, combs, and bedding. If you do come into contact with someone who has head lice, you should make sure to treat them. However, you should avoid using insecticides on your clothing, furniture, or bedding. These can end up polluting waterways and are toxic for bees and aquatic animals.