Back To Top Biology and Habits of Head Lice Head lice infestations are more prevalent than those of the body louse. The head louse lives on the skin and among the hairs on the head. The adult female louse deposits an average of 8 to 10 eggs per day which are glued to individual hairs near the skin. The adult louse lives for about 1 month and deposits an average of 75 to 125 eggs. They prefer to deposit their eggs to the hair around the back of the neck and back of the ears.
Infestation is greater among persons with long or dense hair.
Head lice are frequently seen in school-age children. The eggs hatch in 7 to 8 days. The nymphs feed by piercing the skin of the scalp and sucking blood. They feed an average of two to six times daily. The nymphs reach maturity in 8 to 17 days with 14 to 15 days being about average.