Syracuse, N.Y. -- “Super lice,” as too many parents likely know, have become the most common headache in the battle to keep scalps and hair critter-free. But hope exists for removing the mutant pests.

Although head-lice infestations most commonly affect school-aged children and their caretakers, I have only ever had lice as a 20-something. My freshman year of college, my boyfriend and I both ...