We all know kids can be mean to each other and bullying is a real problem that affects way more kids than it should. Unfortunately nits are a well known cause of classroom bullying, leading to poor mental health and educational outcomes for the kids that catch them. In this blog we explore what you can do to help reduce the mental harm that comes from catching nits.

Lice have been an unwelcome companion to humans throughout history, causing discomfort and frustration. But have you ever wondered where these tiny, persistent pests originated? Delving into the history of lice reveals fascinating insights into their evolution and longstanding relationship with humans.

Nits are about the size of a pinhead and super hard to see with the naked eye due to their size. Nits are white / yellow in colour and are stuck to hair shafts with super-sticky glue left behind by the mother louse. They can be found anywhere on the head however the closer they are to the scalp the more likely they are to hatch.

Electric nit combs, also known as electronic lice combs, are designed to remove lice and nits from the hair by using an electric charge to zap and kill the parasites. Electric combs typically have metal teeth that conduct the electrical charge. While some people find them helpful, their effectiveness can vary, and they may not be as reliable as other methods of lice removal.

Checking for nits, which are the eggs of head lice, involves examining the scalp and hair for small, oval-shaped, and usually yellow or white eggs about the size of a pin-head attached to individual hair strands.

Lice are relatively easy to treat and if you do it right, should be a one-and-done affair.

The only sure-fire way to kill head lice is to suffocate them. Lice can hold their breath for up to 20 minutes, so you need between 30 minutes and an hour to run through a treatment.

To suffocate lice you need to coat them in some kind of oily substance that sticks around until you choose to wash / wipe it off.

Dimethicone is a type of silicone-based oil that is used in various personal care products, including skincare, haircare, and, most notably, head lice treatments. It is a non-toxic, odourless, and non-irritating substance that works by suffocating lice and their eggs, preventing them from breathing and ultimately leading to their demise.

Killing head lice is not difficult once you understand how lice breathe.

Lice don’t have lungs like other mammals, instead they breathe through small openings along their abdomens. Lice have an ability to close these openings up and shutter their breathing for about 20 minutes before they suffocate.

So, to kill head lice you have to force them to close their openings up for MORE than 20 minutes, at which point they will suffocate and die.

Dealing with head lice can be a challenging task, both for parents and educators. One crucial aspect of managing lice infestations is early detection. Regularly checking for lice can help prevent their spread and ensure a safe and healthy learning environment. In this blog, we will discuss the best way to check for lice, providing you with a step-by-step guide to follow.

Teachers play a crucial role in managing head lice in the classroom. Here are some effective strategies they can implement. Learn about our 7 step process to helping kids navigate the challenges of nits!

Catching head lice occurs through close, direct contact with individuals who already have lice. Head lice are typically spread through the following means:

Head-to-head contact: This is the most common way head lice are transmitted. When there is direct contact between two individuals' heads, such as children playing together.

Sharing personal items: Head lice can also spread when people share personal items that come into close contact with the hair. This includes items like combs, brushes, hair accessories, hats, scarves, helmets, headphones, or even pillows and bedding.

In the intricate tapestry of life on Earth, even the smallest creatures play a significant role. Among them, the louse stands out as a fascinating yet troublesome insect. Lice are tiny, wingless parasites that infest the hair, feathers, or fur of their hosts. In this blog post, we will delve into the intriguing lifecycle of a louse.

Head lice are a common problem that affects both children and adults worldwide. These tiny insects, known scientifically as Pediculus humanus capitis, infest the scalp and hair. Despite their size, head lice can cause significant annoyance, discomfort, and social stigma. In this blog post, we will explore what head lice are and how they impact those affected.

Learn how to promote ISpy NitKits to parents, caregivers and whanau by downloading our pre-prepared assets.

Kindo is the leading school e-commerce platform. Learn to how easy it is to sell NitKits on Kind!

Health and education are tied inextricably and our tamariki are underperforming in school because we haven’t yet created the right environment for them to succeed due to our siloed approach to just about everything.

Nit eradication is almost never permanent. They come back - not because the treatment wasn’t successful and we got a re-infection through a failure to get rid of the eggs, but because they caught them again in a fresh round.

Nowadays it’s about vigilance - if a kid scratches, or I see a piece of sand or dandruff I jump. If there’s a few eggs you’ve got a great chance of getting them out before you see any live critters crawling around and I’ve thwarted many a decent infection that way.

If you’ve been following our series on nit eradication you’ll know it’s a two-step process. First you’ve got to kill the live lice with some kind of lotion or formula, which is fairly straightforward and then you’ve got to get rid of the eggs, which isn’t…

Not all nit treatments are equal. In this blog we explore the active ingredients in different products and explain why some work better than others.