Some lessons have to be learned the hard way, and I’m no different than any other folks when it comes to that. No matter how much I read about something, it isn’t the same as going through it myself. So it was with my recent, and hard won battle that found me adding a small, but mighty weapon to my bug out bag. Yes, this weapon can kill, but not who you might think.
No, my new weapon is not a gun, aimed at dangerous SHTF intruders. With this weapon, I am fighting an almost invisible assailant. This weapon, you see, is a professional grade lice comb. When I recently picked up lice as a volunteer speaker in a local classroom, I had no idea what I was in for. Now I am so glad that I didn’t “mess around,” but, instead, got the most powerful anti-lice weapon available on the market. In this article, I am going to reflect on current issues with super lice and how SHTF dynamics could increase your risk of getting lice. Based on all of these issues, my new lice comb, like the champion it is, is going right into my BOB.
Lice, Lice, Super Lice
In the good old days, certain pesticide-based treatments used to work to kill head lice almost all the time. However, over time, the lice, as often happens in nature, developed a resistance to these treatments. So, now there is a genetic variation of lice that can withstand these chemical treatments that used to kill their great great great grandparents. Perhaps, like rats, we will see a variation that actually ends up eating these pesticides? It’s hard to say.
As one might expect, studies have been done on these little super lice, and the news isn’t good. As long ago as 2014, it was found that most lice collected showed the genetic mutation that allows for resistance to permethrin pesticides. In fact, these super lice have spread all over the United States and Canada, not respecting the border at all!
SHTF Dynamics and Lice
There are a number of dynamics that we could see in SHTF that could increase the risk of getting infested by lice. Even if you are able to bunk in at home, you may need to take in a number of family members/allies to defend and survive. Living in close quarters drastically increases your risk of getting lice. Grid down? Then, your option of killing lice on bedding and clothing in the clothes dryer is off your list of options.
If, instead, you are on the move, then you may be staying in questionable places, putting your head on questionable pillows. If you don’t have a hat, you might pick one up that you find, and ooops! You have added another problem to your list of SHTF things to do.
Possible Harms of Not Having A Lice Comb when SHTF
Ya, those of you who are in the military might be already thinking, “I’m covered, as I keep my hair short and can’t get lice.” I’m sorry to break it to ya that any amount of hair is enough for those little critters to grab on to. And let’s face it: if the grid is down, how are you going to buzz cut anyhow?
Some of the harms that come from lice should be taken seriously during SHTF: terrible itching can affect your sleep, as lice are most active at night. You need all the sleep you can get during SHTF! As well, for those who do get itchy, the scratching can cause secondary infections, and you don’t want precious medical resources going to that during SHTF, do you?
Possible Benefits of Having a Lice Comb During SHTF
During SHTF, I see two huge benefits to having your own professional-level lice comb. First, in the absence of pharmacies, Amazon, doctors, and even professional lice centers (Aside: Here in Michigan, we have Rapunzel’s Head Lice Removal Boutique, but it’s not cheap!), you will have a tool to wet comb your hair with a special comb to at least manage, if not remove all lice from your own head. Second, if lice becomes a chronic problem in your area during SHTF (and I’m guessing it might!), you could be the only person with the proper tool to treat it….And that could make you popular…or it could be a good barter. “Yes, I’ll comb you, or you can use my comb, but I want XX and XX.”
So, What DID I Buy???
When I need something of quality, I don’t mess around. Even though I’m on a budget, I do my research and buy what the experts recommend. I found a great website created by a nurse in the lice biz. She works in a lice center and uses the Nit-Free Terminator.
It weighs less than 2 ounces. The comb is flat, less than 3” wide, and less than 4” long. And get this: it costs less than $13!!! To use it properly, all you need is to wet your hair and comb through methodically and carefully, starting as close to the scalp as possible. In my opinion, if you do this every other day, you could end or at least maintain control over any lice infestation.
So, for me, buying this comb was a no-brainer. At the moment when the nape of my neck was red, itchy, and bumpy from lice bites, I would have happily paid $100 for this, but don’t tell them that!!!
Lice…Bug OUT Your Bug Out Bag!
For a small investment, you can prevent a big problem during SHTF.
Do you currently have any treatments for lice in your BOB? What do you think about adding one? Have you ever had to treat for lice in your family?
Please tell us about it in the comments section.
19 Responses
Hi, Rowan. I hadn’t considered the value of having a remedy for lice. Thanks for the article!
Here in western North Carolina, I’ve occasionally encountered a different tiny critter: the tick. When one has attached to me, I use a tick remover that’s essentially a small, flat, crimped piece of metal with a notch at one end. When the notch is slid under the tick and the host slowly pulls the skin up, the tick will eventually release.
The ivermectin from your wellness company kit will knock them out. Because it’s taken orally it’ll get them in eyebrows, lashes and well, if you’re really infested, everywhere.
Ivermectin apple paste works just as well. Pour on ivermectin for cattle I’d not recommend because it uses lingering petroleum agents to keep it active longer along the spine of animals.
Good article. I never thought of this. A very long time ago, the kid got lice at day care. It was a huge pain and we had a washer/dryer at home. I missed work cause the kid couldn’t go back until the lice was gone and we had to treat every last little thing and use that nasty chemical treatment on everyone.
The invasion of Russia into Ukraine persists.
Gas is not $2.00 a gallon
Inflation still exists
Prices haven’t come down.
So much for “day one”.
Just remember, he’s still your President for 1459 more days…..bwaaaahaaaaaaaaaaaaaa
Really?
Concentrate on the gains….
The past 20 years have been a deep state dismantling increasing to untold measures…
Setting obstacles and sabotaging possible fixes.
No matter your political stripes this is global and it’s going to be long and painful.
The mainstream media (propaganda arm) has totallly refused to cover and distorts if it can’t cover.
We need to be thankful for all steps to fix this AND take responsibility for ourselves and help each other.
What you are alluding to…would be a fantasy!
We are in this together whether we realize it or not!
I had a lice invasion experience when my oldest was in kindergarten (took the school awhile to realize they needed to fumigate the coat cubbies).
It was awful…did chemicals and combing…didn’t remove, did mayonnaise smother for hours with a plastic wrap…more combing.
Had washed bedding, clothes, treated pets, siblings, myself and spouse, deep cleaned…didn’t shave her head (she was in ballet and needed hair in bun), but so tempted.
Lice are comb able…nits (eggs) are more difficult!!!
Of course. It is going to take years to undo all of the Biden failed economic policies.
DEI out of federal institutions. Boeing the latest company to quit DEI. More states eliminating DEI at state colleges.
ICE is out and arresting violent, criminal illegals.
Reports of illegals self-deporting.
1,500 troops to deploy to the US-Mexico border.
Trump designates violent international criminal gangs as terror groups.
LNG exports resume to our EU allies.
Trump pressuring Putin to end the war.
Trump nominees ran circles around Democrats during confirmations.
Laken Riley bill to be voted on and signed by president Trump.
Might not be prices but it is a lot more progress then we saw under Biden.
in one day….people think magic is going to happen with a magic stick, but here in the Netherlands we have found out a victory is not a win: those who were in power have a whole organisation with a lot of saboteurs payed with tax money. That is a problem, and to clean up the government orginisations and to get rid of the saboteurs is not a one day thing, it takes time and help from the public. It is the public that can intervene by putting mass complains on paper against those sabotaging, that makes change and gives a signal….
Many years ago in the early hours of the internet ( 1998) when a phone line was needed and you had to wait a full minute for connection i made friends with a woman from Indiana who had MS. One of the talks she said she was glad i kept talking to her through the internet as a lot of people stopped talking when they heard she had MS. The did not want to catch it from her……yeah…that is the level of intelligence of fellow human things….and you wonderd what people vote democrats…..
regards Duchesne
Speaking of irritating parasites…
Regardless of party affiliation a true American prays for the best outcome. And wishes success to whomever is in power.
Semper Fi
AMEN! Maybe not actually wishing success for whoever is in power, but PRAYING for GOD’S Discernment and intervention to grant Godly WISDOM to whoever is in power!
Gina:
Better said than my comment.
M
President proves not to be a miracle worker; News At Eleven!
Diatomaceous earth and a lice comb. No chemicals needed, knocks them right out.
Tea tree oil is great for killing lice. You can put a few drops in you shampoo to help prevent an infestation & use it in your wash.
We’ve had to deal with these critters before.
Here’s what we did. Vacuum your floor & anything else their in. Throw away the bag immediately. Then hot steam clean everything you can. You must be careful doing this. If you blow the steam at them , you will blow them away & they will still be alive. We just replaced everything we could.
Do this every 10 to 11 days as their life cycle from laying eggs & the eggs hatching is about 14 days.
As I recall, my late mother once told me that back in my great-grandmother’s day, the old one-room brick schoolhouse teacher’s solution to a local epidemic of head lice among her students was to have all of them dip their heads in a bucket of kerosene; not a very pleasant solution, and they all smelled bad for several days afterward, but it absolutely exterminated those lice.
Yes, very important prep, orderd ten combs before finishing the story, the one i have is worn out anyway. I alway have one when going into the woods, it is also great for checking on and removing just arrived ticks…..