Louse Nit (Head Louse Egg)

Scientific Name: Pediculus humanus capitis (Egg stage)

Order & Family: Order: Phthiraptera, Family: Pediculidae

Size: 0.8 mm by 0.3 mm (roughly the size of a poppy seed or sesame seed)

Louse Nit (Head Louse Egg)

Natural Habitat

Typically found on the human scalp, cemented firmly near the base of hair shafts, particularly around the ears and neck.

Diet & Feeding

In the egg/nit stage, it does not feed. The hatched nymph and adult louse feed exclusively on human blood obtained from the scalp.

Behavior Patterns

Nits are the immobile egg stage. They are laid by female lice using a specialized glue-like secretion that hardens, making them difficult to remove (unlike dandruff, which easily brush off). They hatch into nymphs in about 7-10 days.

Risks & Benefits

Risks: High nuisance pest causing intense itching, scalp irritation, and potential secondary skin infections from scratching. Social stigma is often associated with infestations. Benefits: None.

Identified on: 2/18/2026