Body Louse

Found primarily on the clothing and bedding of infested humans, moving to the skin only to feed.

Strictly hematophagous; they feed exclusively on human blood several times a day.

They lay their eggs (nits) in the seams of clothing or on bedding. They are spread through direct physical contact or by sharing infested clothing, towels, or bed linens.

High risk; they are vectors for serious diseases including epidemic typhus, trench fever, and louse-borne relapsing fever. Infestations cause intense itching and skin rashes (pediculosis).