Head louse control by suffocation due to blocking their oxygen uptake

Abstract

The present study shows that head lice (Pediculus humanus capitis) are killed by suffocation when submersed into the anti-louse shampoo Licener®, which contains a mild shampoo component and an extract of neem seeds after their oil components had been pressed off. It is shown that the inner tracheal system becomes completely filled by the very fluid product. Within 3–10 min, oxygen uptake is prohibited and death of all thus treated lice stages occurred.