Body Louse

Natural Habitat

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

Diet & Feeding

Strictly hematophagous; it feeds exclusively on human blood several times a day.

Behavior Patterns

They lay their eggs (nits) in the seams of clothing rather than on hair. They are most common in crowded living conditions where hygiene is poor and clothing is not changed regularly.

Risks & Benefits

Risks: They cause intense itching and skin rashes (pediculosis). They are significant vectors for diseases such as epidemic typhus, trench fever, and louse-borne relapsing fever. Benefits: None.

Identified on: 1/13/2026