Preventing Lice Invasions… Naturally (and with Style)

Andree Noye
5 days ago
4 min read

As if back-to-school chaos and the holiday season weren’t enough to keep your schedule packed, lice sometimes decide to join the fun — completely uninvited, of course.

By Andrée Noye, MA, Clinical Herbalist, Head Lice Survivor ;)

What Do Lice Even Do All Day?

Close-up of nits attached to strands of hair on the left, and a louse clinging to a fine strand on the right, illustrating the presence of lice and their eggs.

The head louse (Pediculus humanus capitis) is a tiny parasite that feeds exclusively on human blood. It sinks its little teeth into the scalp, injects saliva filled with anticoagulants so it can sip away without interruption, and leaves behind that telltale itching — also known as pediculosis.

They don’t jump (sad but true), but they crawl easily from one head to another during cuddles, while sharing hats or scarves, or even through stray hairbrushes.

Females lay between 4 and 10 eggs a day. Within a week, they hatch, and in just ten days you’ve got a whole new batch ready to reproduce. Translation? A full-blown invasion in record time. That’s why repeating treatments is essential to wipe them out for good.

How Do You Spot Them?

Itching is the obvious clue, but to confirm an infestation, grab a lice comb (any pharmacy will have one) and check section by section. Yes, it’s tedious… but at least they’re visible to the naked eye!

A young child experiencing discomfort scratches their scalp with a pained expression.

Prevention — Because Fighting a Tiny Army Isn’t Fun

Essential Oils: Your Secret Weapon

Since lice are tough little critters, prevention is your best strategy. And guess what? They can’t stand certain smells: lavender, tea tree, geranium, rosemary, clove, and peppermint are as unbearable to them as gym socks are to us.

Science hasn’t figured out exactly why, but anecdotally… it works. So let’s roll with it!

Our champion? True lavender. Not only is it gentle on the skin and safe for kids, it’s also one of the most effective natural lice repellents around. Lavender fine is another close cousin — same magic, same results.

For kids 3 and up, geranium and tea tree are good choices. For 6 and up, you can add lavandin, peppermint, rosemary cineole, or clove (but dilute carefully — clove can sting).

Feel free to mix it up so you don’t get tired of the scent, or even create your own “signature blend.” Just don’t overdo it and fumigate the whole household.

A Ready-to-Go Option

Our Citronella Hydrating Lotion (originally designed to repel mosquitoes) also doubles as an anti-lice ally. With neem oil and lavender, it’s a sleek and effective shortcut. #DYK that we offer the Lice-Be-Gone Bundle, as part of our Farmacy Line, comprised of our own herbal-infused neem oil blend, along with a duster full of diatomaceous earth, and an acidic herbal hair rinse, made with infused apple cider vinegar to tackle the issue from every angle possible! Come and grab your own at the centre!

Quick How-To

A woman gently combs through a young girl's curly hair, checking for lice, as they both share a joyful moment.

Add a few drops of essential oil (lavender or your blend) to anything that touches the head: hoodie hoods, collars, hats, headbands, even car seats.
Apply a drop or two behind the ears and at the nape of the neck. Yes, pure oils can be irritating, but desperate times call for desperate measures. For little ones or sensitive skin, dilute in a plant oil or cream.
If there’s asthma, epilepsy, or another health condition in the mix, stick with lavender only unless you’ve checked with a professional.

Diatomaceous Earth — The Heavy Hitter

This lightweight powder is harmless to us but deadly to insects. It dries them out completely.

Prevention: dust it lightly at the roots, comb through, and tie up the hair.
Treatment: apply a generous amount to the scalp, cover with a cap or t-shirt “bonnet,” and leave for several hours or overnight. Then wash thoroughly. Repeat after one week, and again the week after, to catch the newly hatched eggs.

Caution: the powder is dusty and can irritate eyes or lungs. Protect your child’s face and eyes, and maybe wear a mask yourself to avoid turning treatment time into a coughing fit.

Plan B: Home Remedies That Actually Work

Keep long hair tied back, or go with braids/short cuts when possible.
No sharing accessories: no hats, scarves, or brushes.
Store hats and scarves in coat sleeves instead of a pile at school.
Pharmacy shampoos are an option, but natural approaches can be just as effective.
Treat the entire household at the same time — otherwise reinfestation is almost guaranteed.

Coconut Oil — Gentle Suffocation

Its fatty acids clog the lice’s breathing holes. Goodbye, bugs.

Neem Oil — The Insect’s Worst Nightmare

Neem contains azadirachtin, a natural insecticide. Mix at 10–20% in another oil, and use for kids 3 and older. For sensitive scalps, stick with coconut, it works beautifully on its own.