Simplicety At Home
Lice Education Resources
Education Partner
Free lice education from Pete the Lice Guy — 13,000+ cases treated, 99% accuracy rate. Questions? Call 877-414-6487.
How to Check for Lice
at Summer Camp
Pete's step-by-step guide for parents and camp health staff. Most important: lice and nits are dark — NOT white. The biggest mistake is looking for white specks without using a comb.
What You Need
A proper check doesn't need much — but the right setup makes all the difference.
Pete's Rapid Screen
For camp nurses doing large-group check-ins — catches obvious cases fast. Not a replacement for a full check.
5-Step Rapid Screen
Full Checking Guide
Follow all five steps in order. Skipping sections is the most common reason lice get missed.
Find Good Lighting & Dampen Hair
Sit your child under bright light — natural sunlight or a ring light is best. Lightly spray hair with water until damp. Damp hair slows lice down and makes the nit comb glide smoothly. Never check dry, tangled hair.
Divide Into 1-Inch Sections & Clip Back
Use a wide-tooth comb and clips to divide hair into 1-inch sections. Work from one side to the other. This is the most important step — skipping sections is how lice get missed. For thick hair, use smaller sections.
Comb From Root to Tip in Each Section
Pull the Terminator Comb slowly from root to tip. After each stroke, wipe on a white paper towel and look closely. Nits appear as dark (yellowish to brown) oval specks. Live lice are small, flat, dark-moving insects. Repeat 2–3 strokes per section.
Focus on the Three Hotspots
After combing all sections, visually inspect these three areas closely: behind both ears (most common first location), nape of the neck (warm and sheltered), hairline at the forehead. If nits are found in one hotspot, check all three before concluding.
Interpret Your Results
Nothing found: Hair is clear. Recheck in 7–10 days if there was known exposure.
Nits only: Treat as an active case — early treatment prevents a full infestation.
Live lice found: Start treatment immediately. See the Found Lice Action Plan.
Need Help Right Now?
Call Pete the Lice Guy directly — available by phone for active cases.
877-414-6487The Terminator Comb
The same comb Pete uses in every check. Available in the Simplicety kit.
View the Kit — $49.99Checking Reminders
- Nits are dark — yellowish to brown
- Dandruff slides off. Nits do not.
- Always comb on damp hair
- Wipe comb on white paper towel
- Focus: nape, behind ears, forehead
- Recheck at day 7 even if clear
Found Something?
Don't panic. Follow Pete's complete action plan and your child can return to camp quickly.
View Action PlanWhat to Look For
Understanding exactly what you're looking for is what separates a thorough check from a missed case.
- Yellowish to dark brown — NOT white (empty casings after hatching may be lighter)
- Firmly glued to the hair shaft close to the scalp — will not slide off
- Dandruff is white and slides off easily. If it won't move — it's a nit.
- Most common within ½ inch of the scalp
- Small, flat insects — sesame seed to apple seed size
- Tan, grey, or dark brownish — can appear darker after feeding
- Move quickly when exposed to light — they run
- Cannot jump, fly, or survive more than 24–48 hours off the scalp
- Persistent itching at the scalp — caused by an allergic reaction to lice saliva
- Your child may have lice 2–4 weeks before itching develops
- Up to 50% of children show no itching at all — especially early stage
- Regular checks are the only reliable detection method
After the Check
Whether you found something or not — here's exactly where to go from here.
Found Lice Before Camp?
Pete's full action plan — confirm, treat, clean, notify, and recheck. Your child can return to camp quickly.
Camp Staff Protocol
Group check-in procedures, case management, clearance criteria, and 4 ready-to-send email templates.
Get the Terminator Comb
The same comb Pete uses in every check. Available in the Simplicety At Home kit with enzyme spray and video.
View the Kit