### swarm | infestation:

Head lice
* are about the size of sesame seeds
  - called ectoparasites because they live on the exterior of their host
  - clear in color when hatched, then quickly develop a reddish-brown color after feeding
* are common among young children
  - in child care situations and in school-aged children
* are completely dependent on human blood, which they suck from bite wounds in the scalp
  - heads for warmth and food
  - different from scabies and from pubic lice
  - easier to detect on wet hair
  - equal-opportunity parasites
  - extremely tiny critters than can only live on a human head
  - fairly common in school children
  - familiar to many parents of elementary aged children
  - found worldwide
  - generally more common in the U.S. than body lice
  - gray insects about the size of a sesame seed who are blood-sucking parasites
* are highly communicable, particularly in young children, and can be difficult to prevent
  - contagious and are spread from one child to another through direct contact
  - incapable of flying or jumping but can crawl fairly rapidly
* are insects that live on the human head
  - human scalp and feed on blood by biting the scalp
  - suck blood from the scalp and attach their eggs to hairs
  - little insects that live in hair and lay eggs known as nits
  - parasites - very small bugs
* are parasites that are about the size of a sesame seed
  - feed by piercing the scalp and sucking blood
  - parasitic insects found on the heads of people
* are parasitic insects that infest the head
  - live on human scalps
* are small flat insects about two to three mm long that breed all year round
  - grayish-white to rust colored wingless insects
* are small insects that live in the scalp by periodically biting and sucking blood
  - which live in the scalp by periodically biting and sucking blood
* are small, flat-bodied insects with six legs
  - parasitic insects that are gray or brownish and wingless
* are small, wingless insects that live, breed and feed on the human scalp
  - which feed on human blood
  - specific to humans
* are spread by direct contact with the hair of an infested person
  - most commonly by direct contact with the hair of an infested person
  - stubborn little insects that live in human hair and feed on blood through the scalp
  - tenacious little insects and they've been around for thousands of years
  - tiny creatures - about the size of a pinhead
* are tiny insects smaller than sesame seeds that live on the scalp
  - that are light grey to brown in color
* are tiny insects that lay eggs in the human scalp and live on blood
  - eggs, or nits, that stick to hair very close to the scalp
* are tiny insects that live on animal or human hair
  - the human scalp and feed on blood
  - the scalp, where they lay eggs
  - only on people's scalp and hair
  - primarily on the head and scalp
* are tiny parasites that are smaller than a sesame seed
  - tiny, light brown insects that have claws at the end of their legs
* are very common among all classes of people
  - in groups, especially children
  - rare among American blacks
  - small insects which live on the scalp of human beings
  - small, brown or tan insects
  - wingless parasites that live on the scalp
* can affect anyone, rich or poor, young or old, male or female
  - also survive for short times on bedding and furniture
  - cause other, more serious infections if they are left untreated
  - effect clean or dirty hair
  - infect hats, brushes, carseats or house upholstery
* can infest anyone, regardless of personal hygiene
  - occur at any age, and to either sex
  - quickly spread through a classroom, especially with young children
  - spread as long as lice or eggs remain alive on the infested person or clothing
* can survive off the host two to three days
  - on the scalp for about three weeks
  - three to four days once dislodged from the host
* do indeed occur world-wide.
* have claws especially adapted for clinging to hair shafts
  - very sharp claws that dig into the scalp and hold on tight
* infect the scalp hair and are easiest to see at the nape of the neck and over the ears.
* is also very contagious
  - probably the most common hair and scalp ailment worldwide
  - transferred between persons who share items such as hats, hairbrushes, combs, or wigs
* live in the hair and bite the scalp to suck blood
  - come down to the scalp to feed by sucking blood
* live only on human beings
  - people's scalp or hair
* occur primarily around the ears and back of the head.
* occurs in all socio-economic groups and in the cleanest of homes.
* prefer a clean, healthy scalp, adult or child
  - human heads and there are other strains of lice and fleas that affect pets
* require warm, humid environment of the human scalp for survival.
* seek warm temperatures, so they stay close to the scalp.