InsectNet forum

For the past two days small red spots appeared on my body and they began itching. I hope someone can tell me if these are actually bed bugs (which would be a nightmare) or lice. Thanks in Advance for any help!

Adrian wrote: ↑Mon Jan 16, 2023 7:18 pm For the past two days small red spots appeared on my body and they began itching. I hope someone can tell me if these are actually bed bugs (which would be a nightmare) or lice. Thanks in Advance for any help!...

The insect in your photo is a crab louse (Pthirus pubis) -

https://www.cdc.gov/parasites/lice/pubic/index.html

Treatment -

https://www.cdc.gov/parasites/lice/pubic/treatment.html

Thanks that helps a lot!

A local in Belize told he he was on a fishing trip and discovered he had crab lice, he poured motor oil all over his privates. He said it worked.

Chuck wrote: ↑Mon Jan 16, 2023 9:15 pm A local in Belize told he he was on a fishing trip and discovered he had crab lice, he poured motor oil all over his privates. He said it worked.

It was probably not the toxicity of the motor oil that was effective, but the fact that it simply suffocated the lice. You could probably get the same result with any number of non-toxic substances, such as olive oil or canola oil, which would also act as suffocants. I'm not sure if that would actually kill the eggs, though; might need something like a pyrethrin-based shampoo to kill louse eggs.

Chuck wrote: ↑Mon Jan 16, 2023 9:15 pm A local in Belize told he he was on a fishing trip and discovered he had crab lice, he poured motor oil all over his privates. He said it worked.

I think I'd rather have the bed bugs. Good thing this is a family show.