Production
Losses Associated with Flies
Flies annoy and irritate animals, transmit disease, reduce weight
gains, and reduce milk production.
Horn flies can cause significant economic losses. They are biting,
blood-sucking flies that feed 20 to 40 times per day, reducing
milk production up to 20% and decreasing gains in growing cattle
by 0.25 to 0.5 lb per head daily (USDA) if not controlled. Five
hundred horn flies per animal will consume about 1 gallon of blood
in a 30-day period.
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Stable flies can do as much if not more damage than horn flies.
Stable flies feed with a piercing-sucking mouth. According to the
University of Illinois, as few as 40 flies per animal can cause
significant reduction in milk production. The USDA estimates milk
production losses at up to 20% without good control.
Economic losses may occur when the fly population reaches 100
flies per animal. Over 200 flies per animal can cause significant
economic losses. A good fly control program using an oral
larvacide, backrubber at peak season, and time-released
insecticide provides a favorable cost:benefit ratio.
Fly Control Management Recommendations
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Practice good sanitation management.
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Keep fly populations under control.
Elimination is not the goal. Treat fly levels over 100 flies per
animal. Keep the population below 200 flies per animal.
-
Use periodic treatments, rotating
insecticide methods (sprays, dust, backrubbers).
-
Use an oral larvicide with periodic
treatments for cattle on pasture.
-
To reduce over-winter fly phase, treat
late in the fly season.
-
If using insecticide tags as part of
the pest control program, follow usage recommendations throughout
the season.
-
Use a pyrethrin for quick kill and
reduction of all fly populations.
Resistance Issues
-
Insecticide ear tags were introduced
in the early 1980s. Originally, they were very effective; however,
favorable results lasted only a few years. Due to management
practices and other factors, resistance to the insecticides used
in ear tags quickly developed.
-
Resistance to man-made pesticide
compounds (pyrethroids, organophosphates, etc.) can occur in a
specific fly population.
-
Resistance can be widespread, but not
uniform.
-
The flies’ resistance mechanisms are
different for different compounds.
-
Insecticide resistance is often
perceived rather than actual due to inadequate application, poor
timing, inadequate total control program, and/or sudden resurgence
of flies if conditions are ideal.
|
Product |
Description |
Application
|
8512 Fly Spray
(2 x 2.5 gal)
8514
4 x 1 qt bottles/case |
An
oil-based pyrethrin livestock spray with rapid knockdown and
high killing powers.
Quantity/size: 2 x 2.5 gal and 4 x 1 qt bottles/case |
Apply to livestock as a mist spray only. Only efficient
hand-type spray guns or insecticide foggers should be used.
For use on dairy cows, in dairy barns, and on beef cattle and
horses for control of face flies, horn flies, stable flies,
houseflies, horse flies, mosquitoes, and gnats. |
|
8532
Dairy Aerosol Plus |
The
best formulated dairy aerosol on the market. It contains 0.5%
pyrethrins, 5% piperonyl butoxide (10:1 effective kill ratio),
152-A propellant (provides ideal particle size, breakup, and
complete can discharge).
Quantity/size: 6 x 26 oz |
Spray 1-2 seconds per 1,000 cu ft. Can also be sprayed on
cattle.
This
formulation, along with the very best ingredients (pyrethrins,
superior synergist, and ideal propellant), makes this a very
cost-effective, safe, and convenient product. |
|