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i googled boric acid: nasty

"Boric acid, also called boracic acid or orthoboric acid or Acidum Boricum, is a mild acid often used as an antiseptic, insecticide, flame retardant, in nuclear power plants to control the fission rate of uranium, and as a precursor of other chemical compounds. It exists in the form of colorless crystals or a white powder and dissolves in water. It has the chemical formula H3BO3, sometimes written B(OH)3. When occurring as a mineral, it is called sassolite."

We've used it fior years. It's the only thing I know that will keep bugs out of the house and is mild enough to not hurt kids/pets. It'll get down under the carpets, I sprinkle a bit between matteresses, into crevices in baseboards etc and you won't even know it's there. Dust generously, walk it in for a few days and then vacuum lightly.

If you know of anything else more benign that will control lice and fleas let me know. I have been searching for years. The bugs eat it and it dries them out and they die, disrupts the breeding cycle because the larvae will eat it. Works quickly, within a week or so, and is extremely effective for the longterm. I dust the entire house every 18 months or so, have to. I hate fleas and spiders and silverfish etc. Nothing worse than those little white bugs that get into paper and books. Boric acid controls all that. It's the only thing that will keep cockroaches away from a NYC apt.

and if you have a lice infestation I don't see another option. Posionous to people in large quantities too, like if you put ateaspoon in glass of water you'll need your stomach pumped, so wear shoes while walking it into the rugs for those few days before you vacuum and keep the cats outside as much as possible during that time too.