12 Natural Ways To Kill Head Lice (It’s Disgusting, But It Happens!)

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2. Garlic

Lice don’t like garlic and this method will suffocate them. Grind up 8 to 10 cloves of garlic until you have a paste. Mix in three teaspoons of lime juice. Apply this paste to the scalp and hair, being sure that you cover every inch. Put on a shower cap and allow it to sit for one hour. Rinse with very warm water. You can also try saturating your child’s hair with garlic oil. Put on a shower cap and allow it to sit for 30 to 60 minutes. Run the lice comb through the hair, then shampoo. Regardless of the method you choose, remember that you will need to repeat this every 6 days to kill the eggs and any hatching nits that you might miss.

3. White Vinegar

Put your child on the floor with a rolled up towel under her neck so that her head hangs back. Put the hair into a large bowl. (You might want to put a towel under the bowl as well in case you spill.) Pour undiluted white vinegar over the hair and work it into the scalp. Vinegar dissolves the “glue” that is used to attach the eggs to the hair shaft. Allow this to work for 10 to 15 minutes. Now put your child in the bathtub and pour cheap conditioner over the hair and comb out the eggs and nits using a lice comb. This method smells bad, but it works remarkably well. Remember to repeat this every 6 days two or three times to ensure that you have killed all the eggs and nits.

4. Baby Oil

Although using petroleum products might not be your first choice, they are certainly better than using toxic pesticides. Baby oil will also suffocate the adults and make it easier to remove the eggs and nits. Saturate the hair and scalp with baby oil. Put on a shower cap and allow it to sit for 30 to 60 minutes. Use the lice comb to remove as many dead adults, eggs, and nits as possible. Shampoo as you normally would. Repeat every 6 days until you no longer find any evidence of lice.

5. Mayo

Mayonnaise is loaded with oils, which will suffocate the adults and make it easier to remove eggs and nits. Apply a full-fat (regular) mayonnaise liberally over the hair and scalp. Cover with a shower cap and leave on overnight for best results. Use a lice comb to remove as many dead lice, eggs, and nits as possible. Shampoo as you normally would. This method will not only kill the lice but it will also give you super shiny hair. Repeat every 6 days.

6. Olive Oil

Thick olive oil will also effectively smother adult lice and make it easier to remove eggs and nits. Apply a generous amount of olive oil to your hair and scalp. Cover with a shower cap and allow it to sit overnight. Comb out the parasites in the morning using the lice comb. Shampoo as you normally would. Be sure to repeat again at 6 day intervals two or three more times to ensure that you have killed all the lice.

7. Sesame Seed Oil

This oil has anti-fungal, antibacterial, and anti-parasitic compounds, which make it perfect for killing head lice. Mix ¼ cup of sesame seed oil with 1/8 cup of neem oil. Add one teaspoon of tea tree oil. Apply this mixture to your dry hair and scalp. If you have very long or very thick hair you might need to double this recipe. Work the oil in well, paying attention to the scalp. Cover with a shower cap and leave on overnight for best results. Comb your hair in the morning using the lice comb, then shampoo as you normally would. Repeat every 6 days to ensure that you have killed all the eggs, nits, and adult lice.

8. Salt

Salt is also an effective method of killing lice through dehydration. Mix ¼ cup of plain salt and ¼ cup of vinegar in a spray bottle. Be sure that the salt has dissolved. Spray this solution over your hair and scalp. Be sure that you saturate the hair near the scalp. Put on a shower cap and leave on for 2 hours. Use a lice comb to remove as many lice and eggs as possible. Wash your hair as you normally would. Repeat every 3 days until you find no more evidence of lice, eggs, or nits.

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