Body Louse

Natural Habitat

Found on the body and in clothing/bedding of humans, specifically in the seams and folds of fabric.

Diet & Feeding

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

Behavior Patterns

They live and lay eggs (nits) in the seams of clothing, only moving to the human skin to feed. They are typically associated with crowded living conditions and poor hygiene.

Risks & Benefits

Risks include intense itching, skin rash, and potential transmission of serious bacterial diseases such as louse-borne typhus, trench fever, and epidemic relapsing fever. There are no known benefits.

Identified on: 1/12/2026