Understanding head lice makes them a whole lot easier to deal with.

Head lice are common, especially among school-aged children. They are not a sign of poor hygiene, and they do not spread disease. Understanding how lice live, reproduce and spread can help you tackle an infestation more effectively.

What Are Head Lice?

Head lice are tiny insects that live close to the scalp and feed on human blood. They move by crawling and cannot jump or fly. They spread mainly through direct head-to-head contact.

Lice vs. Nits

Lice are the living, crawling insects.

Nits are lice eggs. They are attached firmly to individual hair shafts close to the scalp and can be difficult to remove. Unlike dandruff or debris, they don't simply brush away.

Understanding the Lice Life Cycle

Nits generally hatch in about 6–9 days. The newly hatched lice, called nymphs, then take about another 7 days to mature into adults. Adult female lice can continue laying new eggs, allowing the cycle to begin again.

This is exactly why repeat applications matter.

Some eggs may remain after an initial application and hatch later. LiceBomb® is therefore applied and repeated in 7 days, along with thorough nit combing, to help address the lice life cycle. Your insert specifically instructs three applications at seven-day intervals.

How Do Head Lice Spread?

Head lice spread primarily through direct head-to-head contact. They crawl from one person's hair to another. They do not jump or fly. Sharing items that have recently been in contact with the hair can also spread lice, although this is considered less common than direct contact.

And importantly: getting head lice has nothing to do with how clean your hair or home is.

What About Lice Resistance?

Over time, some head lice populations have developed resistance to certain commonly used insecticidal ingredients, including permethrin and pyrethrins. Canadian research has detected genetic markers associated with resistance, although the Canadian Paediatric Society cautions that the relationship between those markers and actual treatment failure isn't straightforward. Misdiagnosis, incorrect product use and reinfestation can also explain apparent treatment failure.

A Different Approach

LiceBomb® is a Health Canada-licensed, oil-based head lice removal kit formulated with tea tree oil and lavender oil as medicinal ingredients and designed to be used alongside thorough nit combing and repeat applications.

Want to understand more about the ingredients and the research behind them?

How Do I Know If It's Lice?

Finding a live louse or nymph is the best way to confirm an active infestation. Nits alone don't necessarily mean there is an active infestation, particularly when they're farther away from the scalp. Lice and nits are commonly found behind the ears and around the nape of the neck.

What About the Home?

Head lice need the human scalp to survive and don't live for long away from a person. The Canadian Paediatric Society says extensive environmental cleaning or disinfection isn't warranted. Focus on the person with lice and follow appropriate directions for recently used items that have been in contact with the head.

Your own directions already give practical instructions for items such as bedding, towels, hats, scarves, hair accessories, brushes and combs, so I'd keep your product-specific cleaning directions consistent with the insert.

Common Lice Myths

MYTH: Head lice are caused by poor hygiene.

FACT: Head lice can affect anyone and aren't associated with cleanliness.

MYTH: Lice can jump or fly.

FACT: Lice crawl. They don't have the ability to jump or fly.

MYTH: Finding a nit automatically means an active infestation.

FACT: Finding a live louse is the best way to confirm an active infestation.

Ready to Deal With Lice?

Now that you understand what you're dealing with, learn how to use LiceBomb® and why each step matters.