For a tiny insect, lice sure can cause big problems! Today Mango and producer Mary—both veterans of the head lice wars—dive into the ancient history of this itchy critter (including mummies with lice!), explore bizarre superstitions and home remedies you shouldn’t try (please don’t dunk your head in kerosene!), and finally, talk to some experts about treatments that do work… and why you might want to take a moment to appreciate your lice before you destroy them. 

• Check out Dale Clayton’s Clayton & Bush Lab at the University of Utah.
• Learn more about Dale’s AirAlle device.
• Watch Laurie Moyer’s videos on YouTube and TikTok, or visit Lice Centers of Wisconsin.
• Learn more about Ian Burgess’s work at Insect Research & Development.

Got a question you’d like us to answer? A rabbit hole you think we should explore? Email higeniuses@gmail.com or leave us a message at (302) 405-5925.

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“Hunting for Lice” (1652) by Gerard ter Borch, via Wikimedia Commons.

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