Lice – the term alone is enough to give many of us the heebie-jeebies. But humans get lice and we simply cannot turn a blind eye to common problems these pests cause. So today we’re going to discuss these pesky little critters infesting our beds and how to put an end to such problems. 

If you have ever wondered how long can lice live on bedding, this article is tailor-made for you.

We’ll be covering all that and more, from the lice life cycle to the infamous mattress body lice. Keep reading!

So, you’re lying in bed and start to feel itchy.

Could it be lice?

Well, it’s a possibility. 

Different types of lice can infest your bedding, including head, body, and pubic lice. And yes, they can live on your mattress, sheets, and pillows unknown to you. Let’s get to know these parasites before learning how to eradicate them. 

The first one on this list also happens to be one of the most common types of lice. Head lice are ectoparasites that infect the human scalp and hair. And they are clingier than an ex on Valentine’s Day. 

These pesky little critters have a real fondness for human heads and are in it for the long haul. While you might be wondering how long they can live on bedding or furniture, the truth is they prefer the warmth of the human scalp which also doubles up as an excellent food source for them. 

Generally, head lice’ life cycle (egg, nymphs, adults) can last up to 30 days, during which time they’ll be busy laying eggs and sucking blood from your scalp. If your scalp has a lice infestation, it can affect your bedding too. 

So, can head lice live on pillows and sheets? While it’s possible, it’s unlikely since they prefer to stay on the head. 

The real question is: do lice like clean hair or dirty hair? Can you get lice from not washing your hair? Contrary to popular belief, lice don’t discriminate based on hair cleanliness. They’re attracted to all hair types and will happily set up camp on any head, clean or not.

You should wash your hair anyway, for the sake of hygiene.

Let’s get personal here. 

Pubic lice — also known as “crabs” are embarrassing house guests that no one wants to talk about. They like to take up residence in the pubic hair of humans and are often an outcome of poor personal hygiene. 

Although these little guys can’t survive for long on bedding, pillows, or furniture, but they can certainly make a home on your body. So if you’re feeling itchy in your nether regions, it’s time for a closer inspection. In case you discover you have them, remember to serve them an eviction notice at the earliest. 

It’s not a good idea to give pubic lice a place to fester.

Now, let’s talk of the real devil. 

It’s a lousy situation when body lice infest your body, but it’s even worse when they set up shop in your bedding. How long can lice live on bedding, you ask? Well, these pesky critters can survive up to a week on sheets and mattresses, making it crucial to treat your linens thoroughly. And don’t think that just because they’re called “body lice” they’ll stay put on your skin. 

They’ll gladly crawl onto your pillows and walk their way to your scalp. So, take heed and learn how to treat mattress for lice to prevent these unwelcome guests from overstaying their welcome.

If you suspect a mattress body lice infestation, it’s essential to treat your bedding, clothing, and surrounding area. They can be very tricky to get rid of since they can survive for up to a month without a human host. 

But fear not, their life cycle is relatively short, lasting only a few weeks. With proper care and cleaning, you can get rid of all types of lice once and for all.

How long can lice live on bedding? 

On average, ectoparasites like lice can survive for up to two days without a human host. That’s bad news for your bedding, mattress, furniture, and pillows. 

In fact, how long do lice live on a mattress, or how long can lice live on furniture, you wonder? They can survive up to 2 weeks on a mattress and 24-36 hours on furniture. 

Hence, it’s crucial to get them washed and treated ASAP! And don’t even get us started on lice on pillows or lice pillow infestations — those are a nightmare. So, if you suspect a lice infestation, don’t wait. Treat your bedding, mattress, furniture, and pillows thoroughly to kick those lice to the curb!

There are a few effective ways in which you can get rid of lice from your bedding. We have hand-picked the best ones for you. 

Yes, you heard that right, those little bottles of heavenly fragrances can actually be used to combat lice. Tea tree oil, lavender oil, and eucalyptus oil are all great options as they have natural insecticide properties. 

Next up is washing your bedding. 

We know, it sounds like a no-brainer, but it’s important to emphasize washing your bedding with hot water. 

Throw all your bedding into the washing machine, including your pillowcases, and wash them in hot water. Hot water helps kill any remaining lice or nits in your bedding. Make sure to dry everything out in the sun as well.

To make sure your child's bedding is lice free, remove and wash bedding in hot water and dry on high heat.

— UGA Clayton County Extension (@UGAClayton) April 3, 2012

Now, let’s move on to house cleaning. Don’t forget to vacuum your mattress, pillows, and any other furniture where lice might be hiding. After vacuuming, throw away the vacuum bag or wash the canister and filter in hot water to ensure that any lice caught are gone for good.

Lice can hide between layers of bedding. So take extra care to vacuum everything as well as you can.

If those methods don’t seem to do the trick, it’s time to bring out the big guns. 

Drastic exposure to temperature is a great way to kill lice on your bedding. You can do this by placing your bedding in a plastic bag and leaving it in the freezer for a few hours. The cold temperature will kill any lice and nits on your bedding. 

If freezing your bedding is not an option, you can also put your bedding in the dryer on high heat for at least 30 minutes.

Do not forget to care for your hair. 

Lice love to hide in hair, so it’s important to take care of it. Use a fine-toothed comb to comb out any lice or nits in your hair. You can also use hair products specifically designed to repel lice, such as tea tree oil shampoo or rosemary oil conditioner.

These blood-sucking parasites can make your head itchy, apart from bringing you a lot of embarrassment. So maintain hygiene to avoid an infestation. 

Lastly, let’s talk about food-grade diatomaceous earth. This powdery substance is made from fossilized diatoms and is a natural insecticide. Sprinkle it on your bedding and let it sit for a few hours before vacuuming it. This will kill any lice and nits on your bedding.

There you have it, six effective and affordable ways to get rid of lice on your bedding. Don’t let those pesky critters ruin your sleep, take action today and show them who’s the boss!

Using bed bug spray or other pesticides may not be effective in killing lice in your home. Lice are a different type of insect than bed bugs and require specific treatments. Some pesticides may also be harmful to humans and pets, so it’s important to read the labels carefully before using them in your home.

Nits are the eggs of head lice and are attached to the hair shaft near the scalp. Head lice are the actual insects that live on the scalp and feed on blood. It’s important to remove both nits and head lice from the hair to fully eliminate an infestation.

To kill lice and nits on items such as bedding, clothing, and stuffed animals, place them in a dryer on high heat for at least 30 minutes. This will ensure that any lice or nits present are killed. It’s important to also wash these items in hot water before putting them in the dryer.

Fumigating the house is not necessary to eliminate a lice infestation. Lice cannot survive for long periods of time off of a human host, so focusing on treating the hair and items that have come into contact with the hair is the most effective way to eliminate the infestation. 

Cleaning the home thoroughly and treating household items can also help prevent a re-infestation.