Head Louse

Natural Habitat

Human scalp and hair

Diet & Feeding

Strictly human blood; they feed several times a day

Behavior Patterns

They are wingless and cannot jump; they move by crawling from hair to hair. They lay eggs (nits) firmly glued to the hair shaft near the scalp.

Risks & Benefits

Risks include intense itching and potential secondary skin infections from scratching. They are not known to transmit diseases, unlike body lice; they are considered a nuisance rather than a health hazard.

Identified on: 6/16/2026