How to Get Lice Out of a Home

Lice are small, wingless insects that feed on blood. Lice can spread quickly from person to person. Lice can be found on areas of the body that include the head and eyelashes. Lice aren't known for spreading disease, as noted by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. However, a lice infestation can be aggravating. Removing lice from your home is a preventive method to avoid re-infestation of your family members.

Things You'll Need

• Vacuum
• Airtight bags
• Hot water
• Laundry detergent
• Plastic painter's drop cloth
• Masking tape

Instructions

1. 

   Suck up any fleas.

   Vacuum your house daily. Use your vacuum attachments to clean your furniture. Pace close attention to areas where an infected person has sat.

2. 

   Kill adult lice from clothes and bedding.

   Wash clothes in hot water in your washing machine. Put the items in your dryer on the hottest setting for 20 minutes, as stated by Kids Health. Alternatively, you can have your linens and clothes dry cleaned.

3. Put any non-washable items into an airtight bag. Leave the items in the bag for up to two weeks.

4. Enshroud your furniture with a plastic painter's drop cloth. Seal the drop cloth around your furniture using masking tape. Avoid poking holes in the plastic. Keep your furniture sealed for two weeks.

Tips & Warnings

• Avoid sleeping on beds, carpets or pillows that have been used by an infected person.

• Don't use fogs and sprays, as recommended by the CDC.

• Sprays and fogs can be harmful when inhaled or through skin contact.

• Avoid sharing personal care items in your home.

• Instruct your children to not use the same brushes or to share clothes.

References

• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: Parasites - Lice - Head Lice
• Kids Health: Head Lice
• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: Prevention & Control

Resources

• Mayo Clinic: Lice