Lice Control

We were at our ‘nits’ end with dealing with lice. We thought we got it all out of our 3 year old’s hair 2 weeks ago. We did the steps: used lice shampoo and combed out hair, or so we thought. Turns out, the day she went back to school (after winter break), we were called to pick her up because they saw lice. They also saw eggs in our 8 month old’s hair. We went through the whole process again: shampoo, laundry, combing, repeat. We even shaved our 8 month old’s head so she could return to daycare. She had a full head of hair gone. But we still got the call the next day to pick her up because they saw a bug. I was frustrated and ready to go professional for this lice thing. I called a bunch of places and was very impressed at the quick call back from Ray. He was very understanding about the whole thing and helpful answering my questions. He suggested we book an appointment to get checked and go from there. So, that afternoon we took both our girls to get checked. The two women, Sequoya (sp?) and Victoria, were awesome. They checked our heads and found only one nit in 3 year old. They were patient with us as we asked questions. They schooled us on lice, what is really is about and how to deal with it, especially how to comb out the hair. They were realistic about telling us what we need to do in the next few weeks. We bought a metal comb (better than what we had used) and some oil to help prevent future outbreaks. We left very pleased and ready to battle any more bugs that come our way. I will definitely recommend them in the future for their customer service and expertise. Thanks Ray, Sequoya, and Victoria!

I joined Unilocal again because it felt important to let others know not to use this business if you can find any alternative when you need the service. Most importantly, they push their expensive heat treatment on you and say it has a 99.2% «guarantee.» After shelling out for it, a much more competent lice professional found 12 live nits along my hairline a week later (as well as more than 30 dead eggs). They say to get their «guarantee» you have to wait 21 days or show evidence of a louse– live nits don’t count. So if I had waited the full 21 days my head would have again been full of lice and nits and my son — for whom I also paid $ 100 at Lice Control for a comb out — would have had a head full of lice too. Plus their so-​called guarantee says if anyone else in the family has it it doesn’t count. Some guarantee. The other wonderful lice professional I ended up going to (Nit-​Wits) was everything Lice Control was not: thorough, devoted, courteous (see other review). I have also heard good things about Catchers Nitz as well as some other alternatives around. I’ve heard others have had similar experiences to mine with Lice Control.
The owner of Lice Control wrote dismissive things after other negative reviews, and I am sure she will do the same here. I hope what I’m writing here will give you pause before going to them anyway. Reading other negative reviews, I called them a few times before going in — hoping I could find an available alternative. The other alternatives were not available. I also asked them some questions (like how I can detect lice and tell the difference b/​t lice and cradle cap, etc.). They were a bit rude because I had called in a few times before coming in and quite dismissive of my questions.
I wasted much time and money by going to Lice Control. I will say I almost gave them 2 stars because they did clean out my son’s hair completely, and my hair 95% of the way. Unfortunately with lice, 95% is not enough to prevent another round of infestation. I hope if/​when it happens to you you will be able to find an alternative service!

After carefully reviewing all our options for a lice infection from school, we were happy to find Susan and her daughter Caitlin at Lice Control. They were professional, knowledgable, efficient, and friendly. One review here said there was a miscommunication based on race. My wife and I are a mixed race couple and we did not find this team anything but welcoming. We think the previous review was based more on miscommunication and perhaps misunderstanding on both sides than any kind of malice or bad intention on the part of Susan.
Next, the service itself was well executed. Our 8 year old twin kids were told there would be heat, and they were told at the end of each 30 second treatment segment exactly when it would end with a countdown. This is important when the kids want to squirm.
I would just add that while this service is expensive it is a huge time saver. You could go with another sevice but there is no 100% guarantee. Also my wife was advised not to have the heat treatment at first by Caitlin, and instead the less expensive standard treatment. This showed us they are not just in it for the money. They knew I was ready to and told them I would pay for 4 heat treatments at 175 $ each. These people are interested in helping your specific situation. I checked out as clear. My wife ended up getting the treatment to save time and be sure, but what great customer service to not assume everyone needed the same max treatment!
Finally, Caitlin was so gentle that my son fell asleep in the chair after his treatment– WHILE SHE WORKED ON HIM! Such great sevice. I would highly recommend this place to stop your lice problem as soon as possible.

You never believe it can happen to you. And then it does. Luckily for me and my family, we found lice control. All four of us were infested and after one trip, and about 5 or 6 HUNDRED dollars later, we were lice free and stayed that. Anyway. I would highly recommend them. Five star service.

My partner and I contacted Lice Control after we discovered that my partner had lice. I also wanted to get checked out as well. Since I am african american and my hair type is tight curls, we asked the woman on the phone if I would need to straighten my hair before getting treated with lice (we had read on different lice specialist’s websites that it is easier to treat tightly curled hair if it is straightened first). The woman commented that they «have never asked anyone to straighten their hair». I then proceeded to ask the woman her recommendation for treating tightly curled african american hair. After she stuttered and sounded very uncomfortable with the topic of african american hair she asked «is she full black» and followed up by saying «since she’s full black its most likely that she doesn’t have lice», as if all «full black» people have the same hair type and are immune to lice. After seeing a wonderful specialist today from a different company, I found out that I did in fact have lice and needed to be treated. If I had taken Lice Control’s advice that because I am full black I most likely don’t have lice, I wouldn’t have been treated and would still be infected. I was very disappointed and disturbed by the way Lice Control handled the topic of african american hair and lice. Although it is less likely for african americans to get lice, lice services and companies at the bare minimum should be able to respectfully and successfully field lice and hair questions/​conversations of not only the african american community but any other community of color as well. I really hope Lice Control can learn to do this in the future. Truly an unfortunate and disturbing experience.

We are visiting the Bay Area and discovered that we had lice. We went to Lice Control and spent an enormous amount of money on 4 of us. They assured us that the treatment was 99% effective. Four days later we found live nits on 2 of our kids. Lice Control were unwilling to discuss a follow up treatment which we found to be highly unprofessional.

This is a fantastic one-​time treatment for lice that is hassle-​free and definitely the way to go for busy parents. Over the years, our kids would periodically get lice from their classmates. My wife and I struggled with various home treatments we bought over-​the-​counter at the drug store and did hours of nit-​picking and comb-​outs. Our home efforts met with mixed success and exposed our kids to chemical pesticides. We’ve used Lice Control three times over the past four years and they are simply great. It’s a one hour visit to Lice Control for their hot-​air hair treatment and you’re done! Back to normal life after one hour and no pesticides! This last time (June 2015), I called and got an appointment the same day. The staff is very kind and the treatment is painless and harmless. This is the future of lice control. Cost is about $ 175 but well worth it.

I’ve waiting for a while after my treatment before writing this review… first off I wasn’t that excited about announcing the world that we got lice! YIKES LOL… BUT, I was so stressed when this did happen and grateful to all those reviews before me to help me make my decision about where to go for treatment, I felt obligated to leave a review myself in hopes of helping someone else. :)
First of all NO ONE WANTS TO GET LICE, it’s a gross feeling, it makes you feel dirty, it’s just no fun. We got ours in Mexico and as exotic as that may sound. it still sucked to get lice! lol
I sweated over where to go for treatment, I wanted for this ordeal to be over as quickly as humanly possible. I couldn’t stand the thought of someone coming to my house, coming out my hair/​lice and flicking them all over the rug… UGH! So, my first decision had been made, I would be going to a «salon» for treatment. Now the issue was where to go, what type of treatment. I found that the two most commonly available treatments are comb outs (with a horrible, metal, long toothed comb) that rip your hair from your scalp ruthlessly AND hot air… I chose hot air-​go figure? Hot air is more expensive, hot air claims to kill the bugs in one shot, hot air still requires A comb out, but not obsessively, every day till your bald.
I called Lice Control, spoke with Lupe and made an appointment for the next day (first available), it was great because I was the first appointment of the day and I was there all alone, I didn’t have anyone to witness my shame! ha ha Lupe started with an investigative comb out to see if she could find nits, lice or nyphs-​I had all. UGH again! So after the thorough comb out we did the «air Ale» and it was a breeze. I did not experience any pain, it was actually relaxing and when it was done a silicone oil was poured onto my head to suffocate any lice that avoided being roasted aliveor ripped from my scalp. The oil was very soothing and drippy, it dripped everywhere. I was also given a complementary shower cap… yes I walked out of this place with oil dripping down my face and a shower cap… LMAO Mortifying. :P I was supposed to leave the oil in my hair for 15 or 20 minutes, well I left that goo on my head for 7 hours! I didn’t want to take any chances. When I washed it out my scalp was still so itchy and remained so for about a week that I panicked after 7 days. I rushed back in for another investigative comb out. Lupe obliged (Charged $ 50) and found some dead nits, but that was it. I was still skeptical and I waited… well I am happy to report it has been two and a half months since the treatment and I am completely lice free. I did the hot air treatment, did 1 thorough comb out (via Lupe) and used a lice repelling shampoo I purchased on Amazon and Voila! No more lice. I couldn’t believe it would be that easy… whew!
The «salon» is very clean and sparse (as it should be for this type of business), Lupe is very thorough in her inspection, she is understanding and non judgmental. If I happen to get lice again (God forbid) I will go back for another air ale. Seriously it’s the only way to go in my opinion.

Never used the service before but I learned a lot from this company that came in handy last night when I came home from work to discover my daughter had lice, and unfortunately they were closed already if they weren’t I would have called them immediately to treat my daughter n check my hair but luckily I got the situation under control being it was in the beggining stages of an infestation…

Lice Control is the only solution for our family. Last week my 16 year old daughter had her 3^rd Lice infestation in 8 years. We drive all the way from San Mateo to work with Susan and Ray and company. The Aire Allelle machine is non toxic and with the oil and comb through afterward is guaranteed. We spend about an hour and a quarter. Money wise, I spent ¼ of what I spent in Burlingame for her first infestation in 2007 — that took 4 appointments of 3 hours each — they didn’t get everything and we found lice again 10 days later. Although the Burligame store offered to treat her at no charge I felt I could not trust them to take care of the issue. After calling everyone I know, a nurse at my doctors office highly reccomended Lice Control but I had to drive over 50 minutes to Oakland. It is worth the drive. Everyone there is fantastic. They make you feel comfortable and most importantly they get the job done. Thanks!

No one wants lice, and if you find it on your kids at 7:30 during bath time, you do what you can to clean them out.
When I called Lice Control the next day about bringing them in for a thorough inspection and cleaning, I was told there was a 50 – 50 chance they’d find something, and if the lice showed up after their service, it would be on me. Why? Because I’d started a treatment (I combed out their hair with a lice comb).
So, no, we didn’t use this service which won’t guarantee its work and we won’t in the future should be the need arise (I hope it doesn’t because lice are a pain in the neck.) I called Catchers Nitz and you can see my review there.

My daughter got lice after it was floating around her classroom all year. I thought about doing it on my own, but read so many cases about the lice coming back 2 or 3 times, and taking months to get rid of. So I decided to go with a professional. We called on a weekday and they fit us right in. Although I had a bit of sticker shock, I opted for the more expensive one-​time treatment (the Air one, followed by a comb-​out and oil treatment). It was totally worth it because the lice never came back. Ray is not the gentlest comber – but hey, the top priority is getting the knits out. ALL of them. I hope to never deal with lice again, but if we do, I’m going straight back to Ray. Thanks!

Susan and her lovely daughter Caitlyn came yesterday afternoon to give our family a check up /​treatment, the experience was just awesome!
I found out my 10-​yr-​old daughter had lice problem on Monday, totally shocked! Gave her a treatment right away from the kit we bought at pharmacy, kept her at home for 2days to continue searching for remain nits, meanwhile, wash /​dry everything I can think of that has been contacted by her recently. Later on, I found nit on myself, breaking down! That’s when I called Lice Control, they scheduled the next day and showed on time.
I immediately felt like I know them for a long time, just like old friends, they are so friendly, efficient and professional. The whole treatment felt like a spa at home, and the cost can also reimburse by our insurance, how soothing!
They found very few nits on my daughter’s head (mommy did a good job!) and a few on me, my husband is totally clean (lucky him!) gave a lot of information/​knowledge about this insect and how to deal with it to keep us lice free. I feel so relief and happy after their visit. Highly recommend it !!!

Ray is the best!!!
Reading the other reviews there is nothing new I can say except our personal experience.
In 2009 I received the dreaded phone call from my child’s school… head lice! YUCK. I tried an over the counter remedy and both myself and my child were in tears. Besides that, it did not work. Then I called Ray. He was over our house a few hours later. Set up his own stool, tray table and light. My child sat and watched TV for 50 minutes while Ray combed out every damn nit. Then he covered her head with tea tree oil, she sat another 10 minutes, then shampoo as usual. Done. Over. Complete.
Fast forward to 2013. Again, my now teen scratching, itching, red blotches on her neck. I took her to the doctor because I could not see any nits. But the doctor did, confirmed the diagnosis of head lice and gave us a Rx. Very expensive but luckily she gave us some sort of coupon. So we used the Rx cream as prescribed, next day; still itching and scratching. OK, where do I find Ray?
A search on the internet and I find Ray in Oakland now, no longer doing house calls. We will come to him. In his salon my daughter had the hot air treatment and oil follow up. Came home, shampoo and that’s it. Pesky things gone. Also got the special comb.
Thank you Ray!

My mom had written a review on here that had a low rating, but it seems somehow it was removed and I wonder how many other reviews have been removed because we had a horrible experience. My daughter got the guaranteed lice treatment — however after the treatment is done and money is paid we got a sheet (wasnt even expressed verbally) that said the lice treatment was only guaranteed is on the 12^th day we can catch a bug and bring it in to them. He did not discuss our bill and emailed it and come to find he charged us an extra $ 25 for a lice check (he didn’t forewarn us of the cost). His products were pushed on us and the list goes on and on. My daughter still has lice and when we went to a different lice removal place the woman who helped us said that she has heard bad things about Lice Control as well. I would not go there. They utilize dirty business tactics that are deceiving.

We took my granddaughter to Lice Control. The girl working on her was great, but the owner was super shady. He did not show us a hard copy of the bill and when emailed he charged for a lice check which he did not inform us would cost money. He also directly asked for a tip for himself because he did the lice check. By the way, we had no problem giving the lovely woman a tip for working on my daughter. Also we did the guaranteed treatment and when we got home and read the information the hand out said it is only guaranteed if twelve days after the treatment you can find a bug (not egg) and bring it in in a bag. Lastly, I was told from another lice company that you can make your own shampoo, conditioner, and sprays. The owner tried convincing us that the company had a tested formula and that our formula isnt trusted to work… it’s just essential oils — doesn’t take a scientist. All of this being said we had a very bad experience with the business aspect and would not recommend the company for this reason.

Ray was great. He came to our house on very short notice, did the process on my daughter (basically using a big hair dryer) and she was back to school in 2 hours. He let us know what we had to do in the rest of the house and gave use everything we needed to finish the process. If it doesn’t work, he guarantees it and will come back and do it again. Seems like a no brainer. In the end it cost us less than $ 200 for the treatment, shampoo, comb, etc, and for me it was worth every penny. I though Ray was very professional. Parent tip: Feeding your kid candy while she watches TV helps ensure a smoother process.

Just wanted to follow up that the next day we were admitted, nit-​free, back into school. I am still following Ray’s prescription using the product called The Nit Nanny and checking their heads every day. So far, we did find a couple if nits but all were shriveled up and dead. I’ll update at each stage to let everyone know if this really IS the best thing in the world. So far, I say YES!
***JUST ADDING THAT 30 DAYS LATER, WE WERE LICE AND NIT FREE. Can’t recommend the LouseBuster and Lice Control ENOUGH!

Thank goodness for Lice Control. When I found out my 2 boys had lice I didn’t even know where to begin. They answered the phone quickly (which was in the evening), put my mind at ease, and had someone at our house first thing the following morning. The technician that worked on my children was friendly, great with the kids, and amazing at making me feel better. She easily answered my millions of questions, and by the end of the process I felt so much better. The following day they called and followed up to see how we were all doing. There was no way I could of tacklied this myself, and I am so thankful Lice Control was there to help.

I would HIGHLY recommend this company to any family with a head lice problem! They are awesome!
There’s nothing quite like the panic a parent feels when you see a louse in your child’s hair. It’s not life or health-​threatening, but it can be a LOT of work to get rid of an infestation. I was giving my five year old daughter a bath this morning when I saw a live louse in her hair, and I knew it was time to call the professionals. (I had done an internet search a few months ago but never had to call; fortunately I remembered the name.) Ray answered the phone promptly and told me he’d be over as soon as he could (as he had other appointments already scheduled that day), which turned out to be 4pm. He was totally professional, friendly and calm, and was absolutely great with my daughter. She sat on a stool and watched a movie while he literally went over her head with a fine-​tooth comb. (He also checked everyone else in the house the same way.)
He answered all of our questions (and we had lots, since this was our first — hopefully last! — brush with these things) and gave us two sheets of easy-​to-​understand information about followup, which was exactly what we needed.
Can’t recommend them highly enough. Hopefully we won’t ever need them again, but now I know who to recommend to friends!