HOW TO CONTROL FLIES ON CATTLE
Good sanitation is the key to preventing major bacterial infections, always clean up animal dung and manure, because they serve as a breeding ground.
Cow dung, uneaten feed, and hay from the barn area should be cleared, cleaned and removed, and spread out over a field. You can form compost manure with it which can later be used to farm maize and other crops that can be useful both to the farmer and his animals.
Learn MoreThe use of dust bags and strips, insecticide ear tags, pour-on products, oilers or sprays, and oral larvicides.
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For best prevention results, be sure to always alternate the ear tag drug you use each year. It’s the best way to combat drug resistance because both the face flies and horn flies develop resistance to insecticides over time.
Make sure to follow label directions and consult your veterinarian for additional guidance.
You can use the biological method of control such as predatory wasps and dung beetles can be used to decrease fly populations.
Periodically spraying your cattle throughout the year can be an effective way of reducing the fly population.
There are different types of insecticides out there for cattle fly control, collaborate and seek the advice of your veterinarian to develop a plan and pattern for flies control. By putting into consideration the safety and health implication of the insecticide and drug used for both the farmer and the cattle.
READ ALSO: NEGATIVE EFFECTS OF FLIES ON CATTLE
Spray treatments
High volume, high-pressure residual insecticide spraying is effective in controlling face flies and other cattle pests. About 1 to 2 quarts of an insecticide solution is applied with a power sprayer at a pressure of 150 200 psi. This amount and pressure will provide near complete coverage and penetration to the animal’s skin. One drawback to high pressure spraying is the increased cattle handling required to make multiple applications throughout the fly season.
Low pressure, low-volume spraying with handheld sprayers can be effective for some producers with gentle animals. With low-pressure, low-volume spraying, the applicator walks or drives around cattle applying an insecticide solution on an as-needed basis. Insecticide concentrates labeled to mix with water and apply to cattle primarily include the synthetic pyrethroid, organophosphate and spinosyn classes.
Insecticide spray formulations are effective in controlling face flies when directed toward the face. However, they may not provide the residual activity necessary to provide control between the minimum spray frequencies. Insect growth regulators such as methoprene or diflubenzuron applied to feed or minerals and fed to cattle reduce larval development but are not designed to kill adult flies. In circumstances
where cattle herds are somewhat isolated from untreated herds and sufficient consumption by the animals can be maintained, IGR feed-through insecticides can be effective against both horn and face flies.
Always read and follow directions on the insecticide label.
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