Lice Ridden Visitors?
If suspected lice infested visitors come to your house on a regular basis, you have three options of how to handle the lice problem. The polite but embarrassing “Please don’t come here with it” speech, the “Oh no! I got lice and have to treat” rant, or the more logical “I can protect my family” attitude.
While there is always a chance to be infested when around lice, the protective prevention can halt the spread without condemning your relationship with that person to die. More than likely, that person won’t know that you even suspect them of carrying lice, since the procedures are not invasive.
To understand how prevention actions work, you must know the basic profile of the louse specimen. Lice can only live for about twenty-four hours off of the human host’s body. A just hatched specimen requires immediate blood from the host in order to survive. Lice cannot jump or fly as there bodies do not have the required limbs. Lice cannot survive without human blood, therefore your pet won’t give you lice in the same way as fleas. Lice eggs hatch within seven to ten days.
When having suspected visitors in your house, try to steer them into the kitchen for a visit. This room usually has hard floors (tile, wood, etc..) and hard backed chairs, both of which is very un-inhabitable for rogue lice bugs. Do not let them sit at a chair that has shoulder bags or clothing hanging on the back. If the chair has a vinyl back, you can quickly wipe it with a damp cloth after your visitors have left.
If it is impossible to visit in the kitchen, you can still protect against infestation by having throws or other washable decorative covers laid across the back of upholstered furniture. When the visit is over, peal the covering off and launder in hot water. A few minutes in a very hot dryer is equally sufficient. Keep in mind, to keep your visitors from suspecting your ‘secret motives’, the coverings should be in touch with the flavor of the room.
If there was children playing on a carpet floor, a quick once over with a vacuum cleaner will remove bugs or eggs. This is highly recommended due to the nature of the lice life cycle.
To remove temptation from primping visitors, remove combs, brushes, hair ties and such from the bathroom and mirrors. Putting them away not only inhibits the lice from being transferred, it could very well inhibit the whole stray hair matter.
You should try to avoid letting the suspected individuals from entering your pool. Lice do not drown. They desperately hang onto the hair with six legs and claws, while being in a mini-state of suspended animation. This is why lice stays in your hair during regular head washings.
Head lice can infest a family almost immediately, but with precautions it is possible to have infrequent visits from infested individuals without infesting your home, and without hurt feelings.
