If you’ve noticed a bug on your clothes, in your hair, in your kid’s hair, or on your pet, there’s no need to panic, as it might not be a louse. Many insects have a lice-like appearance and are often found on or accidentally land on human bodies. Before going to the doctor or taking any treatment, make sure you’re not dealing with a different type of insect. But first, let’s see what lice are and where they’re found on their hosts’ bodies.
Lice form the Phthiraptera clade. While people generally fear lice because they live on a human’s body, only three types can harm humans; others live on other warm-blooded hosts.
These insects are obligate parasites. This means they require a host to complete their lifecycle. Lice can live on almost any bird and mammal species. However, they don’t choose monotremes, bats, or pangolins as hosts.
Lice are primarily divided into two groups: chewing lice and sucking lice. Chewing lice are typically larger than sucking lice and live among hairs or feathers, feeding on debris and skin. Sucking lice feed on sebaceous secretions and body fluids.
Humans are hosts only to three types of sucking lice: body lice, head lice, and pubic lice. Head lice live on the human scalp and feed on human blood. They are 0.09 – 0.1 inches long, wingless, and dorsoventrally flat. Head lice are gray, but some can feature other colors. After feeding, they may look reddish.
Body lice live on human clothing and visit their hosts only if they need to feed. They have tan-reddish, transparent-looking bodies and measure around 0.09 – 0.13 inches long. These lice live about 30 days as adults if they have a host and die within a week without one.
Pubic lice are found in pubic hair and sometimes in children’s eyelashes. Pubic lice are smaller than head and body lice, measuring up to 0.09 inches long. Unlike the other two, they have round bodies, and the second and third pairs of legs are much thicker. Moreover, pubic lice have large claws.
Head and pubic lice are considered medically safe because they do not carry diseases. However, they produce severe discomfort and itching. Scratching may lead to secondary infections. On the other hand, body lice are disease vectors and can spread trench fever, relapsing fever, and epidemic typhus, among other diseases.
Naturally, lice are unwelcome on people’s bodies. If you’ve found a bug in your hair or clothes that looks like a louse, you don’t have to worry yet, as many insects have a louse-like appearance. Let’s discuss some of them!
Lice are tiny insects that live on humans and feed on blood They are a nuisance and can cause itching and discomfort However, there are many other bugs that resemble lice, so it’s important to identify them correctly. Misdiagnosing another bug as lice can lead to ineffective treatment.
Here are 8 bugs that often get mistaken for lice, but aren’t:
1. Bed Bugs
Bed bugs are one of the most common bugs mistaken for lice. They are small, oval, brown bugs around 5-6 mm long, so about the same size as lice. However, unlike lice, bed bugs don’t live on humans. They hide in cracks and crevices in beds and furniture and come out at night to feed on human blood.
Signs of bed bugs include small red itchy bites, usually in lines or clusters You may also see dark spots which are bed bug feces, and even live bugs around mattress seams or bed frames Treat bed bugs with thorough cleaning, heat treatment, and pesticides.
2. Fleas
Fleas are tiny wingless insects that feed on human or animal blood. They are only 1-3 mm long about the size of lice. Fleas can be reddish-brown or black, while lice are tan to grayish-white.
Fleas jump and move quickly while lice crawl. Check pets first if you suspect fleas – they prefer animal hosts more than humans. Treat fleas on pets and use sprays or powders containing insect growth regulators in the home.
3. Mites
Mites like scabies or bird mites can resemble lice. Scabies mites burrow into skin and cause intense itching, while bird mites bite exposed skin. They are microscopic, different from visible lice.
Scabies is treated with medicated creams. Bird mites die off without a host in a few days. Thoroughly clean and vacuum areas with suspected mites.
4. Nits
Nits are not a separate bug, but lice eggs. They look like tiny whitish-yellow oval shells glued to hair shafts. It’s easy to mistake leftover hatched nits for adult lice. Nits farther than 1⁄4 inch from the scalp are almost always empty casings.
Use a nit comb and vinegar rinses to remove nits. Treat remaining live lice with medicated shampoos or lotions. Avoid lice sprays as they can irritate skin.
5. Carpet Beetles
Carpet beetle larvae are tiny brown or black bugs covered in hairs. They may bite exposed skin and get mistaken for lice. But carpet beetles don’t live on humans – they feed on natural fibers and carpeting.
Adult beetles are spotted black, white and brown. Treat carpet beetles by vacuuming frequently, spraying insecticides on baseboards, and storing natural fiber items in airtight containers.
6. Booklice
Booklice are tiny soft-bodied insects under 2 mm long. They live in damp areas and feed on mold or fungi. Their small size means they may resemble lice crawling on skin or hair.
Reduce humidity to below 50% to get rid of booklice. Clean mold with fungicides and dry out damp books or papers. Booklice do not bite humans or survive on the scalp.
7. Springtails
Springtails are tiny bugs less than 1/20 inch long that thrive in damp conditions. They may accidentally get on skin and hair and appear to be crawling lice. But springtails jump when disturbed, while lice cannot jump.
Reduce moisture by fixing leaks and allow proper ventilation to get rid of springtails. Diatomaceous earth or insecticidal soaps can help kill them. They are harmless and do not infest humans.
8. Spider Beetles
Spider beetles are tiny oval brownish bugs with long legs. They look like a cross between a spider and beetle. They may crawl on skin and resemble lice, but don’t bite or live on humans.
Spider beetles infest dried foods, grains and cereals. Discard infested packages and vacuum up any bugs. Sticky traps can also help reduce spider beetles in pantries.
7 Bugs That Look Like Lice
We’ve found seven bugs that have lice-like bodies and sizes. Some things can help you distinguish them from each other. Keep reading to learn about each of them!
Adult bed bugs have flattened, oval bodies and no hind wings.
Bed bugs aren’t necessarily a better option than lice, as they’re pretty difficult to get rid of, but establishing what kind of insect bit you is important for taking further steps.
Adult bed bugs have flattened, oval bodies and no hind wings. They have reddish-brown bodies and measure around 0.05 – 0.01 inches wide and 0.16 – 0.20 inches long. Like lice, they feed on blood. Because their saliva contains anticoagulants and painkillers, people often do not even feel it when they’re bitten.
Fleas feed on their hosts’ blood and have legs and claws adapted to grasp the host and pierce its skin.
Like lice, fleas don’t have wings. They’re usually dark-colored and measure 0.06 – 0.13 inches long. They feed on their host’s blood and have legs and claws adapted to grasp the host and pierce its skin. They have laterally compressed bodies, meaning they can easily move through hair and feathers. Flea eggs are tiny, oval, and white. The larvae have pale, worm-like bodies covered by bristles.
Dust mites eat skin flakes from animals or humans.
Dust mites are known for causing allergies. They are tiny creatures, measuring 0.007 – 0.01 inches long. Dust mites have translucent bodies featuring a striated cuticle. They leave microscopic fecal pellets behind them.
Dust mites eat skin flakes coming from animals or humans. Sometimes they feed on mold, which is why they’re more common in humid regions. Unlike other bugs, dust mites are unnoticeable and don’t cause any discomfort besides allergies. In fact, 84% of the houses in the United States registered the presence of dust mite allergens in their beds.
Thrips feed on plants and fungi.
Thrips are slender insects measuring around 0.039 inches, although some can reach 0.55 inches. Their bodies are elongated and have a cigar-shaped body plan. Flying thrips have two strap-like pairs of wings folded back over their bodies when they aren’t flying. Thrips feed on plants and fungi and, occasionally, on pollen. Some thrip species eat crops and are considered pests.
Springtails are pests of some crops, including tubers.
Springtails are hexapods measuring up to 0.24 inches long, although they may appear much smaller because they can reduce their body size by up to 30% when the temperatures are high. They have up to six abdominal segments. Some springtails have elongated bodies, while others have rounded bodies.
Springtails are pests of some crops, including tubers. On the other hand, they are also beneficial to agriculture. Because they feed on fungi that damage plants, they can control plant fungal diseases.
These small bugs live in leaf litter and other decaying materials.
Booklice are also called barkflies or barklice.
Booklice are also called barkflies or barklice. They are called this way because they eat the paste used in binding. If you have lots of books at home, especially old books, you definitely have booklice. Barklice are also found on trees, where they eat algae and lichen.
Most booklice measure 0.03 – 0.07 inches long. The wingless species can be easily mistaken for bed bugs or lice.
While this field hasn’t been fully studied yet, research shows that booklice can also cause allergies.
Gnats are flying insects with long, slender bodies and narrow wings.
Gnats are flying insects with long, slender bodies and narrow wings. They measure around 0.01 – 0.07 inches long when they first emerge. While you can easily distinguish a gnat from a louse when it’s flying, it gets more difficult if it’s on your clothes.
Gnats can sometimes bite, causing redness and pain.
360° Scalp with Head Lice!
FAQ
What bugs can be mistaken for lice?
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While both bed bugs and lice feed on blood, bed bugs are larger, have flat, oval bodies, and are brownish-red or mahogany colored, unlike the smaller, oblong, and light-colored lice.
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Fleas are also small, wingless insects that feed on blood, but they can jump, unlike lice, which can only crawl.
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These are not true lice but are sometimes referred to as psocids, and are found in places like old books and bark.
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Scabies are a type of mite that burrows under the skin, causing a rash and intense itching.
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Dandruff, a common scalp condition, can be mistaken for lice eggs (nits) due to the similar appearance of flakes.
What can be confused for lice?
- Dandruff.
- Residue from hair products.
- Bead of dead hair tissue on a hair shaft.
- Scabs, dirt or other debris.
- Other small bugs found in the hair.
What house bug looks like lice?
Booklice
If you have lots of books at home, especially old books, you definitely have booklice. Barklice are also found on trees, where they eat algae and lichen. Most booklice measure 0.03 – 0.07 inches long. The wingless species can be easily mistaken for bed bugs or lice.
What mimics lice?
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Dandruff:Dandruff flakes can look similar to nits, but they are easily brushed or shaken off the hair, whereas nits are firmly attached to the hair shaft near the scalp.
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Hair product residue:Hairspray droplets or other hair product clumps can sometimes be mistaken for nits, but these are usually easily removed and don’t stick as tightly to the hair as nits do.
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Skin conditions:Some skin conditions, like psoriasis or seborrheic dermatitis, can cause a flaky scalp, and the scales or flakes can be mistaken for nits.
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Hair casts:Hair casts are white, tube-like debris that surround the hair shaft and can be mistaken for nits, but they slide easily along the hair, unlike nits, which are firmly attached.
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Knots in hair:Knots in hair can sometimes be mistaken for nits, but they are easily distinguishable with a closer look.
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Scabies:While scabies is caused by mites, not lice, it can cause intense itching and a rash that may be mistaken for lice.
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Formication:Formication is a tactile hallucination where people feel like they have bugs crawling on them, even though there are none.
Do bugs look like lice?
When it comes to dealing with pests, it can be easy to mistake one bug for another. This is especially true when it comes to bugs that look like lice but aren’t. Lice are a common problem that many people have to deal with, but there are other insects out there that can cause similar symptoms and confusion.
How to get rid of head lice for children?
For treating head lice, a variety of over-the-counter lotions are available. Permethrin is one of the best formulations. Leave the medication in your pre-washed hair for 20 to 30 minutes. Later rinse the hair with warm water. Since permethrin does not kill nits, it must be reapplied after 7 to 10 days. Wash the clothing, soft toys, and linens in hot water. Soak the hair care products in hot water to clean them. Any object that cannot be washed should be kept packed in a plastic bag for at least 2 weeks.
What bugs look like a louse?
Another bug that is similar in appearance to a louse is the dust mite, but the human eye can rarely see dust mites. Dust mites can cause allergies in some people and often feed on dead skin, mold, house dust, food, and fungal spores. These tiny bugs are commonly found in carpets, bedding, mattresses, and furniture.
Do bed bugs look like lice?
Answer: Some bugs that look like lice, such as bed bugs, can be found in public places like hotels, movie theaters, and public transportation. It is important to be vigilant and take precautions when traveling to prevent bringing bugs home with you.
What attracts other bugs that look like lice into a house?
Other bugs that look similar to lice may get inside looking for food, warmth, or humidity. Eliminating food sources gets rid of all bugs. Lice can get indoors from getting in contact with a person that has lice or by carrying items infested with lice.