Body Louse

Natural Habitat

Clothing and bedding of humans; they move to the skin to feed.

Diet & Feeding

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

Behavior Patterns

They live and lay eggs (nits) in the seams of clothing and move to the host's body only to feed; they are typically associated with crowded or unsanitary conditions.

Risks & Benefits

Potential risk to humans as they can transmit serious diseases such as epidemic typhus, trench fever, and louse-borne relapsing fever.

Identified on: 1/6/2026