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Updated September 2026
Body lice live on clothing and bedding, not deep inside your mattress. They need to feed on human blood several times a day and die within one to two days away from a person. That means the fix is simpler than most people expect: bathe, change into clean clothes, wash all bedding and clothing in hot water, vacuum the mattress and cover it with a fully encased protector.
Finding bites and an itchy rash after a night in bed is stressful, and it is natural to blame the mattress. This guide explains what body lice are, how to tell them apart from bed bugs, and exactly how to clean your bed so the problem does not come back.
Key takeaways
- Body lice are small insects that live and lay eggs in the seams of clothing and bedding.
- Away from a person, an adult body louse dies within one to two days.
- Washing clothes and bedding in water at least 130°F and drying on high heat kills lice and their eggs.
- Items you cannot wash can be sealed in a plastic bag for two weeks.
- Bites hiding in mattress seams, rusty spots on sheets and a musty smell usually point to bed bugs, not lice.
What are body lice?
Body lice are tiny parasitic insects that feed on human blood. Adults are about 2.3 to 3.6 mm long, roughly the size of a sesame seed, with six legs and a tan to grayish-white color. Unlike head lice, they live and lay their eggs in clothing and bedding, moving to the skin only to feed.
How body lice spread
Body lice spread through direct contact with a person who has them, or through shared clothing, beds, linens and towels. In the United States, infestations are uncommon and usually affect people who do not have regular access to bathing, laundry and clean clothes.
Their life cycle is quick. Adult females can lay up to eight eggs (nits) a day. The nits hatch in six to nine days, and the young lice grow into adults in about a week. Because they need to feed several times a day, they cannot survive long in an empty bed.
Are body lice dangerous?
The most common symptoms are intense itching and a rash caused by a reaction to the bites. Scratching can lead to sores and skin infections. Body lice can also spread diseases such as epidemic typhus, trench fever and louse-borne relapsing fever, so if you suspect body lice, it is worth seeing a healthcare provider for a proper diagnosis.
Is it body lice or bed bugs?
Many of the "lice on the mattress" signs people look for actually belong to bed bugs. Knowing which one you have changes how you treat it.
| Body lice | Bed bugs | |
|---|---|---|
| Where they live | Seams of clothing and bedding, close to the body | Mattress seams, bed frames, headboards and furniture cracks |
| Appearance | Tan to grayish white, sesame seed size | Flat, reddish brown, about the size of an apple seed |
| Signs | Itching, rash, eggs in clothing seams | Bites in rows, rusty or dark spots on sheets, a musty smell |
| Survival off a person | One to two days | Much longer, which is why they are harder to remove |
| Best next step | Hot laundry, clean clothes and good hygiene | Call a licensed pest control professional |
How to check your mattress and bedding
Body lice and their eggs can be seen with the naked eye, but a magnifying glass and a flashlight help.
- Check clothing seams first. This is where body lice and nits are most often found. Nits look like tiny oval specks stuck to fibers and are easy to mistake for dandruff.
- Check sheets and pillowcases. Look along hems and seams for crawling lice or eggs.
- Check the mattress seams and piping. If you find flat, reddish-brown bugs or dark spots here, you are more likely dealing with bed bugs.
If you are not sure what you are seeing, a healthcare provider can confirm an infestation.
How to get rid of body lice on your mattress, step by step
- Bathe and change into clean clothesWash from head to toe with soap and water, then put on freshly laundered clothing. For body lice, good hygiene and clean clothes are often all the treatment you need.
- Strip the bed and wash everything hotWash sheets, pillowcases, blankets, towels and clothing in water at least 130°F, then dry on the hot cycle for at least 20 minutes.
- Bag what you cannot washDry clean it, or seal it in a plastic bag for two weeks.
- Vacuum the mattressGo over the entire surface, paying attention to seams, piping and tufts. Vacuum floors and upholstered furniture too, then empty the vacuum into a sealed bag and throw it away.
- Cover the mattress with a fully encased protectorA zippered encasement seals the whole mattress, keeps it cleaner going forward and makes future laundry easy. The MLILY Fully Encased 360 Mattress Protector is designed for exactly this.
- Keep up weekly laundryBathe and change into machine-washed clothes at least once a week, and wash bedding hot until the itching and bites stop.
- See a professional if it continuesIf you still have symptoms, talk with a healthcare provider about medicated lotions. If you suspect bed bugs, contact a licensed pest control company.
Skip the sprays. Spraying insecticide directly on a mattress is usually unnecessary for body lice and exposes you to chemicals where you sleep. Hot laundry, vacuuming and time do the work.
Do natural remedies work?
You will find plenty of suggestions online for tea tree oil, lavender, eucalyptus sprays and herbal sachets. There is little evidence that any of them get rid of body lice, and essential oils can irritate skin. Hot water, high heat drying and clean clothes are proven, inexpensive and safe, so start there.
How to prevent body lice from coming back
- Wash clothes and bedding regularly on the hot cycle, at least once a week.
- Do not share clothing, towels or bedding with someone who has lice.
- Keep a washable, fully encased protector on your mattress so it stays clean and easy to care for.
- Watch for returning symptoms such as itching or new bites so you can act early.
Do you need a new mattress? Usually not. Body lice do not live inside mattresses, so cleaning and encasing the one you have is typically enough. If your mattress is already old, sagging or hard to keep clean, it may simply be time for an upgrade. Explore MLILY mattresses or find a store near you to try one in person.
Frequently asked questions
How long do body lice live on a mattress?
Not long. Adult body lice need blood several times a day and die within one to two days away from a person. Nits can take six to nine days to hatch, which is why sealing unwashable items for two weeks is recommended.
What kills body lice on bedding?
Washing in hot water of at least 130°F and drying on high heat kills both lice and eggs. Dry cleaning also works.
What is the fastest way to get rid of body lice?
Bathe, change into clean clothes, and wash all clothing and bedding hot the same day. Seal anything you cannot wash in a plastic bag for two weeks.
Can you see body lice on a mattress?
Sometimes, but they are far more likely to be in the seams of your clothes and bedding. Bugs you find hiding in mattress seams are more likely to be bed bugs.
Do I need to throw away my mattress?
In most cases, no. Vacuum it thoroughly and cover it with a fully encased protector.
Protect your mattress, protect your sleep
A clean bed starts with the right protection. MLILY mattress protectors are easy to remove, easy to wash and designed to keep your mattress fresh for years.
Sources: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, About Body Lice; Mayo Clinic, Body lice: Diagnosis and treatment. This article is general information and is not medical advice. If you think you have body lice or bed bugs, contact a healthcare provider or a licensed pest control professional.
