Many household will face a lice infestation at some point. The lice bug is very common, and it easily jumps from one host to the next. School aged children are usually the most vulnerable at catching them, but people of any age are at risk. While lice can be very time consuming to treat, there are many effective measures that can be taken to kill an infestation.

Once lice and nits have been discovered on a person, the most popular method to killing them is by using a special Head Lice Shampoo. These can be purchased at most drugstores, and they do not require a prescription. They contain special essential oils that suffocate and kill the lice. The directions on the bottle should be followed exactly, to ensure that the bugs are killed quickly. After an initial treatment, it is usually highly suggested that another washing takes places 10-14 days later, to kill any newly hatched lice. It the over-the-counter product does not do the trick, then a doctor can prescribe a stronger medication.

It is also wise to purchase a special louse comb. These combs have very fine teeth, that actually pull the nits and lice out of the hair. Once they are removed, it is important to kill them in very hot water. Do not use the comb on other people, unless it has been properly sanitized. After each use, the comb needs to be soaked in rubbing alcohol for at least 5 minutes. This will prevent others from catching the lice by cross contamination. Combing can be done daily, and it is also safe to use on small children.

In addition to store bought products, there are several home remedies for lice. Many people cover their hair in olive oil or petroleum jelly. It is believed that these products actually suffocate the lice. Simply leave the oil on for 20 minutes and rinse thoroughly with hot water. In order to keep a lice infestation from returning, all linens and toys should be washed. Vacuuming everyday will pick up any nits from the carpet and furniture. While it is not always possible to prevent lice, it is simple to kill them.