Several research groups have identi fied populations of head lice in the United States that could not be killed with commonly used insecticidal shampoos. Lice cannot live longer than 24-48 hours off their host. They cannot reproduce on or in carpets, pets, furniture, trash cans, etc. The best treatment for head lice is manual removal. Encourage parents and school nurses to follow thorough manual removal techniques as a first step.
Head lice are small, wingless parasitic insects.
The claws on the end of each of their six legs are well adapted to grasping a hair strand. The nits are generally near the scalp, but they may be found anywhere on the hair shaft. How to Avoid a 'Hair-Raising' Experience With Effective School Policy Head lice can spread rapidly through the school population, and your school should establish a written policy to deal with these outbreaks. Many schools have adopted a no-nit policy. School administrators, however, should carefully consider both advantages and disadvantages before establishing a no-nit policy.