Kill the Lice



Most parents immediately think of exterminating all head lice when they are asked if they know how to kill louse problems. This is a logical first step but you may have to evaluate the different methods used as a solution to how to kill louse pests. There are many ways.

The first typical choice is to pick a chemical based product used for lice control. There are many different products though and not all of them can give the desired results. Make sure that you are comfortable with the idea of putting chemicals on your child's head and that your child is not so sensitive as to react negatively to a chemical treatment. The fact though is that even very good chemical solutions to how to kill louse pests cannot always get rid of lice 100% of the time.

Another option would be to go for natural home made remedies. Vinegar, mayonnaise and olive oil have all been used in the past as lice killers. The disadvantage to natural remedies is the apparent lack of standardized measurements and modes of application. You may have to do some trial and error to arrive at an effective mix.

The tedious task of manually killing lice has not been completely ruled out. Some people still think that crushing lice in between the nails is the only sure way of killing the pests. You would of course have to put a lot of energy, patience and stamina for this kind of activity.

Eliminate the Nits

It's useless to kill lice without killing the nits. Nits can stick stubbornly on the hair shaft near the scalp, refuse to die and hatch when they are ready. This means that you may have a new batch of nymphs on your hands. The most basic way to kill nits is to manually pick them with your fingers. Others suggest though that a little olive oil and a good nit comb may provide a lot of help. You could also always shave off your child's hair as a shortcut solution to how to kill louse pests.

Tidy Up

In order to survive, lice feed on human blood. However, they can live for a day or two away from their human host. This means that even after a successful hair treatment, some live lice may still be crawling around the living room or your child's bed. These lice could either find their way back to your child's hair or invade another family member's hair. You may have to vacuum some areas, dry clean some stuff and wash and dry your child's sheets and clothes.

Check Repeatedly

Even if your home is lice-free, it's possible for your child to get another batch of lice from a seat mate or group mate. Always set a regular schedule to manually go through your child's hair. Be especially observant and mindful of your child's hair if he has just come from camp or a sports activity.