It’s every parent’s worst nightmare right? Head lice are connected with filth no matter how many times professionals say that it has nothing to do with the cleanliness of your home. If you have had a recent lice infestation in your home, you may be wondering what other surfaces these little creatures may be hiding around. Carpet Care 2000 is here to talk about head lice and how long they can survive on sofas and other surfaces of your home.
Stages & Life Cycle of Lice
Following is a breakdown of the lifespan of every louse.
Day 1: Nit is laid on a hair shaft. When nits are removed from hair they are harmless and can no longer infect someone else.
Day 7-10: The nit hatches. A newly hatched louse is called a nymph.
Day 9-20: The nymph will shed its skin three times during this period in its quest to adulthood. They don’t leave their host head until they are fully mature.
Day 17-20: Females are fertilized. They only need to be fertilized once and then will be fertile their entire life.
Day 18-22: A female louse begins laying her eggs. She can lay 4-5 eggs a day for the next 14-16 days. If they move onto a new host, they may or may not be able to tolerate the new host’s blood type but will likely still lay nits that will hatch and grow.
Day 32-34: The louse only lives up to 38 days after being laid as a nit.
Myths About Head Lice on a Mattress & Upholstery Furniture
Have you ever heard of people being scared they will get lice when they go to the movie theater? There is a myth that in public places like theaters and areas where heads come in contact with the seating, that lice can be spread this way. The truth of the matter is that it is highly unlikely that someone will get lice that way. Lice are generally passed on by head to head contact and not from an infected head making contact with seating.
How Long Can Lice Live on a Couch or Mattress?
Head lice can’t survive long when they are not on a host. A host is a human head. This is where they feed, lay their eggs and thrive. When lice are not near their host, they will only survive for about 24 hours. So if you have had a lice outbreak in your home, and have had the family treated to get rid of this bug, the likelihood that they will be passed on from your sofa is not very high.
Sofa & Mattress Cleaning & More in Tracy, Livermore, San Ramon, Dublin, Mountain House, Walnut Creek, Danville & the East Bay of California
If you have experienced a lice infestation in your home, and feel uneasy about your sofa and mattresses, you will breathe easier after calling on the professionals at Carpet Care 2000 to give your fabric furniture and mattresses a deep cleaning. We use industrial strength cleaning supplies and equipment that will leave your upholstery and mattress fresh and clean. Call us today!
