Head lice are short-lived, lasting only about 30-35 days from egg to adult. During this short period, the louse goes through several stages. When the female louse lays an egg, she cements it to the hair shaft, close to the scalp, with a glue-like substance that she secretes.
The egg can take between 7-10 days to hatch. Once hatched, the nit remains cemented to the hair. The juvenile louse develops into an adult within a further 7-10 days, at which point it is able to mate and lay eggs of its own. An adult louse can lay up to six eggs per day, so an infestation can multiply quickly due to this rapid rate of reproduction.
Sneak a Peek at the louse from egg to adult |
