Lice

INSECTA PARASITES

Phthiraptera Introduction

Arthropod Classification - copyright nabrown RVC

Mallophaga

Also known as chewing lice or biting lice

Anoplura

Also known as sucking lice

Control

• Few insecticides will kill lice eggs on the animal

• Two treatments are needed to kill nymphs emerging from eggs at the time of the initial treatment and those that will emerge 2-3 weeks later
  • At two week intervals
  • Or a product with a two week residual activity can be used

Anopleura lice are more susceptible to systemic insecticide treatment than mallophaga lice

• Resistance to insecticides may become a problem so alternating the chemicals used and avoiding pour on treatments (which have a greater risk of resistance developing) should be considered