It starts with a scratch, then another. Soon, you realize your child’s head is a new home for some very unwelcome guests: hair lice. These tiny insects are a common problem, especially for children. They spread quickly through close head-to-head contact.

The good news is that you can fight back without harsh chemicals. Many simple, natural items from your kitchen can form an effective hair lice treatment.

Wet combing:

Wet combing is a simple and direct method. Start by applying a generous amount of conditioner to damp hair. The conditioner stuns the lice and makes it hard for them to move. Use a fine-toothed comb, often called a nit comb. Section the hair and slowly comb from the scalp to the very ends. Wipe the comb on a paper towel after each stroke. You will want to repeat this process every three to four days for two weeks to catch any newly hatched lice.

Smother them with oil:

Lice breathe through tiny holes in their bodies. You can stop them by smothering them with oil. Coconut oil, olive oil, or even mayonnaise work well. Coat the scalp and all of the hair completely. Cover the hair with a shower cap and leave it on for at least eight hours, or overnight. In the morning, wash the hair thoroughly. The thick substance will block the lice’s airways and kill them.

The vinegar rinse:

A vinegar rinse can help loosen the glue that holds lice eggs, or nits, to the hair shaft. Mix equal parts vinegar and water. Pour this solution over dry hair, ensuring to saturate it. Cover the head with a shower cap and wait for about thirty minutes to an hour. After rinsing, use the fine-toothed comb to remove the eggs more easily. This works best when combined with other methods like wet combing.

Try tea tree oil:

Tea tree oil is a natural insecticide. Add about ten drops of tea tree oil to a quarter cup of a carrier oil, like coconut or olive oil. Apply this mixture to the scalp and hair. Cover it and leave it on for thirty minutes before washing. You can also add a few drops of tea tree oil to your regular shampoo or conditioner as a preventive measure.