However, transfer can also take place through sharing combs and headwear. The body louse is capable of carrying epidemic typhus from human to human. The first use of DDT was to control body lice so typhus could not be spread. The body louse is very similar to the head louse in size and appearance. In behavior it tends to move from the host to clothing and back again.
Eggs are laid on clothing fibers and all stages of the louse appear in clothing.
The life cycle, from egg to egg, takes about 3 weeks. However, from egg to adult takes about 18 days. The unfed body louse can survive no longer than 10 days off the host. All stages, including eggs, will die within 30 days after leaving the host. Transfer of body lice from person to person can occur through bodily contact.