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Home » DIY Lice Prevention & Treatment Spray That REALLY Works!

DIY Lice Prevention & Treatment Spray That REALLY Works!

by Adrienne 171 Comments Published February 25, 2016 Updated: May 07, 2020

This post may contain affiliate links from which I will earn a commission. Learn more in our disclosure.
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DIY Lice Prevention Spray
DIY Lice Prevention Spray

This year I heard about drug-resistant lice, and (after I finished thinking my head was itching -- scratch, scratch), I started thinking about and searching for lice prevention spray and lice treatment spray on the internet.  And I found that it is pretty easy to make it yourself.

Thankfully, I have never had to personally deal with lice, but every once in awhile I hear about outbreaks, and a few times friends of mine have had to "de lice" their homes, and it is a complete nightmare.

Getting rid of lice is not fun.

plastic bottle of lice treatment spray with black comb and essential oil bottles in background

Just think of having to:

  • wash EVERYTHING in your home
  • comb painstakingly through your kids' (and your) hair with a fine toothed comb (so you probably are going to lose a lot of hair too in the process)
  • wash and/or freeze all bed linens, stuffed animals, helmets, etc., and
  • deep clean carpets and furniture (note that some sites say that you should do this while the CDC says it isn't necessary. At least make sure not to sit somewhere someone with active lice has just been.

No thanks!

Some people even recommend using Bleach and Lysol!  Ick.  I really really don't ever want to use that on my head or on my kids' heads.

In this case, for sure, prevention is key.

Now you could go around and just be nervous about lice all the time, but when you have something as natural as essential oils that can do the job for you, and they smell good too, why not use them?

We homeschool, so the lice threat is not as big of a problem for us, but we are not immune.

You can use this spray as part of your natural lice treatment plan, of course, but using it as a prevention method is for sure the way to go.

Now, there are a lot of DIY lice treatment sprays on the internet, and I didn't want to just slap something together without knowing it would work.

So I dug around and found some great information on why and how well these essential oils really do work against these pesky buggers-- and then made up my recipes from there.

Do Essential Oils Work as Natural Lice Treatment?

Some say these essential oils work to prevent lice because they mask the human scent that lice are attracted to.

Essential oils are also rich in what are called monoterpenes, chemical compounds with various several beneficial characteristics including, in the case of tea tree oil, insecticidal properties. In fact, the two main constituents of tea tree oil, 1,8-cineole and terpinen-4-ol, have demonstrated anticholinesterase activity.

Cholinesterase (ko-li-nes-ter-ace) is one of the many important enzymes needed for the proper functioning of the nervous systems of insects, (as well as humans and other vertebrates), so when you use these small amounts of oils on small insects, they take action on their nervous system and kill them.

And, there is evidence (yes, real scientific evidence) that these oils really do kill the lice.

Studies on Essential Oils Treatment for Lice:

#1: Tea Tree Oil: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3480584/

At 1% concentration, tea tree oil killed 100% of head lice after 30 minutes.

#2: Lavender and Tea Tree Oils: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20727129

97.6% of lice were dead using these essential oils, compared to only 25% were dead from using chemical treatments.

#3: Anise and Ylang Ylang Oils: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/12389342/

92% success rate against head lice.

Many of the other spray recipes on the internet use oils like:

    • Rosemary
    • Peppermint, and
    • Clove

but I am going to stay with what what's proven to work.  Of course, you are welcome to mix and match as you prefer.

And I'm only sharing the #1 and #2 options as they were the most effective, plus they have oils that you are more likely to have around the house, and anise oil is a little hard to come by.

The #2 version with lavender will smell better, which I would personally choose.  But then again, if we're talking lice, I might just use the tea tree straight and deal with it!!

plastic bottle of lice treatment spray with black comb and essential oil bottles in background

If you missed my series on how I chose the essential oils company referred to above, you can go here to find out, or skip to the end of the series here. However, there is a lots of great stuff in between that you won't want to miss :).

An extra benefit from this spray is that it won't stink of harmful chemicals like some of the more toxic options.

Essential oils really do smell lovely. Just the other day a friend emailed to ask me what "scent" I wear.  It was a therapeutic blend that I have been using and diffusing at night.  A remedy that doubles as a perfume (without all the nasty fragrances) - nice!

Tea Tree Oil Safety

For children under 10 years, use only a 1% dilution rate to a 2% dilution rate of tea tree oil and for children 2+ this oil should only be used "as needed".

For adults, do not go above a 5% dilution rate.

 

Homemade Lice Prevention Spray

Ingredients

1 ounce water (preferably filtered - see How to Make Your Water Safe)
1 ounce vodka
12-20 drops of tea tree oil (or other essential oils of choice)
Quality Spray Bottle - this kind of plastic spray bottle is likely a good option as well.

(12 drops is the equivalent of a 1% solution, which was 100% effective in the study cited above)

or

2 ounces water (preferably filtered)
10 drops tea tree oil
6 drops lavender oil (either Hungarian or Bulgarian)

Method

Blend the above solutions in the spray bottle and spray on hair to coat.

No need to shampoo out.

To Prevent Lice: Spray on hair daily in the morning and/or at night.  Work through entire head of hair.

To Remove Lice: Spray on hair at night and comb through dampened hair with a fine toothed comb in the morning.

Notes on Lavender: Hungarian Lavender has a sweet scent, and Bulgarian Lavender has a more herbaceous scent. So choose according to your desire.

Don't feel like DIYing Your Own Lice Prevention Spray?

I know that sometimes time is of the essence.

If you just don't have time to make this spray, or you prefer to shop for some reason, this lice prevention spray is a natural option that has great reviews:

Head Hunters Lice Spray

Either way, hope you can keep the little buggers at bay!

Have you had lice?
What did you do to get rid of them?

Photo Credit: Naomi Huzovicova
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About Adrienne

Adrienne Urban is the Founder and Owner of Whole New Mom. She has a background in research, journalism, insurance, employee benefits, financial markets, frugal living, and nutrition. Seeking a better life for herself and her family, she uses research and consults with many physicians and other practitioners to find solutions to the variety of issues they have dealt with including life-threatening food allergies and thyroid and adrenal concerns. WholeNewMom.com is the result of her experiences and knowledge gained throughout the process. Posts are reviewed and verified by the Whole New Mom team.

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    Recipe Rating




     

  1. Sheila

    October 17, 2019 at 10:59 am

    Since the lice spray has water in it, how long of a shelf life does it have

    Reply
    • Adrienne

      October 18, 2019 at 11:30 am

      I wouldn't store it for very long at all--maybe 4 days max. Or you could add a preservative to it if you like for longer storage.

      Reply
      • Ashley

        April 21, 2020 at 5:09 pm

        What type of perservative can I use to extend the shelf life?

        Reply
        • Adrienne

          May 07, 2020 at 12:29 pm

          Hi there. I just updated the post so it has vodka, a natural preservative in it now.

          Reply
    • Adrienne

      May 07, 2020 at 12:28 pm

      Hi again - I just updated the post so that it has vodka in it. Should store a lot better now :).

      Reply
  2. Luisa L

    February 18, 2019 at 10:33 am

    Great article & I agree - tea tree works. We are dealing with a lice recurrence from school.
    My fav DIY spray is 1 oz water, 1 oz rubbing alcohol, add tea tree & eucalytpus radiata, 15 drops of each type. You can spray find a live louse, remove it, spray this spray on it and literally see it die in moments. Effective. I cover my kid's eyes with a washcloth to avoid the spray.

    Other stuff I know about lice, having dealt with it before:
    pets cannot get it. Only humans.
    laundry: either set items aside for several days or wash & dry on hot (at least your sheets and towels). Unlike what someone commented on here, a lice doesn't die within 1 hr of being away from a person. It dies after 24-48 hrs.

    finally: retreat everyone after 7 days.

    Reply
    • Adrienne

      February 20, 2019 at 11:52 am

      I had no idea about pets. Thanks for the tip. I don't like rubbing alcohol typically b/c of toxicity (though I do have one diy formula on here that uses it) but better than lice!!

      Reply
  3. Betsy

    September 10, 2018 at 12:36 pm

    Could I make a bigger batch of the spray to spray on furniture and carpets? What ratio of water to tea tree oil/lavender would I need? Or do you think this would be a waste of time?!

    Reply
    • Adrienne

      September 11, 2018 at 12:20 pm

      I have heard that the lice don't survive there so maybe a waste but seems like some people do it anyway. Hope that helps!

      Reply
  4. Corina

    September 06, 2018 at 10:01 pm

    I have not read through all your comments, but just a quick search on the side effects of tea tree oil and lavender oil would inform you that they may disrupt hormone levels in young boys. Check out the webmd website.

    Reply
    • Adrienne

      September 06, 2018 at 10:04 pm

      Hi there. At least from what I have read, the evidence appears scant if not totally inaccurate. Robert Tisserand is one of the world's foremost experts in essential oils and he states that there is no evidence for this. I was worried but I don't see any concerns. This is his response. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LPpgz08pIOc

      Hope that helps!

      Reply
    • Adrienne

      September 06, 2018 at 10:06 pm

      Hi again. Also, I would love to hear what you think after watching his video. I thought it was very well thought out.

      Reply
  5. Sarah

    August 24, 2018 at 12:28 pm

    Avocado oil in the hair while I spray and clean house with the tree, comb hair and wash twice with tea tree laced shampoo. I have 5 girls aged 16-1, we haven’t had lice in 4 years because of this! Use tea tree for prevention ?

    Reply
    • Adrienne

      August 24, 2018 at 1:02 pm

      So has this worked well for you?

      Reply
  6. Emily

    August 02, 2018 at 9:20 am

    If I buy the 16oz bottle you have linked, how many drops should I put in for my 4 year old's hair? He's starting daycare this fall and I would like to just put it on his hair in the mornings. Or would you recommend just adding tea tree oil to his shampoo?

    Reply
    • Adrienne

      August 02, 2018 at 10:42 am

      Hi there. I don't know -- I don't see instructions on the item. I think that making the spray I recommended is a great idea.

      Reply
  7. Katerina

    August 02, 2018 at 8:04 am

    How long is the solution gonna be safe to be used after making it? I mean we use almost 300ml of prevention lotion throughout school season . If I make a 150ml solution is it safe to be used in a 3 or 4 month period?

    Reply
    • Adrienne

      August 02, 2018 at 8:08 am

      Hi there. I wouldn't keep it that long since water is the base. Water breeds bacteria. It's up to you how long you want to keep it for but I would err on the safe side or use a broad spectrum preservative.

      Reply
  8. Kirsty

    July 19, 2018 at 12:11 am

    Not sure where you got your information from but there is no need to clean carpets wash sheets etc. (Of course we all would do a vacuum and wash sheets!) The nits need to blood to survive so they only live off the head for approx 1 hr then they dehydrate and die.

    Reply
    • Adrienne

      July 19, 2018 at 12:17 pm

      Hi there. I got it from several sites. I did just look around more and updated the post. I do think one has to be really careful with this. Why would you have to vacuum the sheets if they can't live? Just to get rid of them?

      Reply
  9. Stacey

    July 12, 2018 at 10:24 pm

    My girls seem to get it everytime they go to mother n laws where all the grandkids are it's a never ending vicious cycle and I am at my whitts end!! I am a clean fanatic and gave severe anxiety when it comes to bugs.. please help

    Reply
    • Adrienne

      July 13, 2018 at 5:37 am

      How about using this spray? That is odd that they are getting them all the time--is something odd going on in that situation?

      Reply
  10. Airiel

    June 02, 2018 at 6:55 pm

    Why shouldn't tea tree be used on children under 6? My daughter is 4... lice is going around school I want to prevent her from having to go through it. I made the shampoo and spray... I would like to use it in her hair....

    Reply
    • Adrienne

      June 03, 2018 at 8:57 pm

      Hi there. I'm looking into this for you - might be OK based on safety regulations that I am reading. Do your own research for now but I will get back to you. Hope you are doing OK!

      Reply
    • Adrienne

      June 04, 2018 at 11:22 am

      Hi Airiel - I just updated the post with more safety info that should be of help :).

      Reply
  11. Margaret

    March 30, 2018 at 12:18 pm

    We've been fighting lice in our household for a few weeks now. The culprit, my husband, says over and over even after I've had to pull teeth just to comb through his hair and have found eggs, "I don't have eggs. It's dandruff." He will not let me do any treatments on his hair not even teatree oil or Listerine. The only thing I can do is wash his clothes, pillow and blanket every day, oh, and wipe down his couch with vinegar and lavender scented cleaner.
    What can I put in his shampoo and body wash that will absolutely kill lice and loosen eggs but won't have a noticeable scent for him to notice that I've spiked it?
    I tired of fighting lice and eggs and the tantrum of this 36 year old kid.

    Reply
    • Adrienne

      March 30, 2018 at 12:47 pm

      Hello Margaret,

      Sorry you are having that issue. I can only tell you that the oils in this post have been proven to work. I hope it works for you!

      Reply
    • JESSICA

      June 11, 2018 at 5:07 pm

      there is tee tree oil bodywash. that might work. or just put a few drops of tea tree oil in his styling gel.

      Reply
    • Ciru

      July 02, 2018 at 12:56 am

      Oil of oregano (wild oregano variety, not just any oregano essential oil) is said to kill both lice AND nits.

      Reply
    • Kirsty

      July 19, 2018 at 12:13 am

      Spray his head at night when hhe is sleeping!

      Reply
    • JenK

      November 08, 2018 at 12:50 am

      I'm hoping you are no longer dealing with this...but for others...if the white speck sticks to the hair shaft it's a nit. Dandruff does not do that. Pluck out the hair and show it to the person in denial.

      Reply
  12. Susan

    March 26, 2018 at 2:21 pm

    Can I use tea tree oil on my pets? They are being tortured by fleas and nothing (not even the $80 each 8 month flea collars!) are working!!

    Reply
    • Adrienne

      March 26, 2018 at 2:27 pm

      Hi there. I just read online that it's safe to use .1 - 1.0 percent diluted.

      I can't make a claim but that is what I read. I have read that diatomaceous earth works as well.

      Reply
    • Sarah

      May 23, 2018 at 12:45 pm

      We went through that issue with our dog! We had to buy the expensive stuff from our Vet office to finally get rid of them! $75 for a pill that lasts 3 months. Then we had a company come spray because diatomaceous earth didn’t work!!

      Reply
      • Karon

        November 21, 2018 at 12:57 am

        Sarah have you ever tried burlap cedar shake beds??? Works amazingly

        Reply
    • Lenka

      September 25, 2018 at 4:04 pm

      Hi there. Diatomacious Earth worked for us! After a long research I ordered a bag and the fleas were gone within couple of days. It scratches their body and they basicly dry up. I found them dead in the couch. Just be careful not to ingest the fine powder.

      Reply
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