Human Body Louse

Natural Habitat

Primarily found on human clothing and bedding, moving to the skin only to feed.

Diet & Feeding

Obligate blood-feeders that consume human blood several times a day.

Behavior Patterns

They live in the seams of clothing and lay eggs (nits) on fabric fibers. They are highly dependent on human warmth and perish if separated from a host for more than a few days.

Risks & Benefits

Significant health risk as they are vectors for diseases such as epidemic typhus, trench fever, and louse-borne relapsing fever. They cause intense itching and skin irritation.

Identified on: 1/13/2026