Expert: Jack DeAngelis - 4/5/2009

Question
Does lice come from trees.

Answer
Kisha,

No. Human lice (head lice, body lice and pubic lice) do not come from trees. Lice can only be passed from one person to another through direct contact. Head lice are generally spread by the sharing of personal items like combs or hats, or by direct contact. Body lice live in clothing so any contact with infested clothing will spread these lice. Pubic lice are generally spread through sexual contact.

Take a look at this page http://www.livingwithbugs.com/headlice.html for some general information about head lice and this page http://www.livingwithbugs.com/pubic_lice.html for information about pubic lice and this page http://www.livingwithbugs.com/body_lice.html for information about body lice.

All lice can be treated with the proper medications and nit (lice egg) removal. See the articles cited above for details.

I hope this is useful.

Jack DeAngelis, PhD
Extension Entomologist (ret.)
author Living with Bugs: http://www.livingwithbus.com/bug_book.html