CLEMSON, S.C. – Fly control is a challenge for many beef cattle producers across the country. Horn flies (Haematobia irritans) are the most common economically damaging pest for cattle producers, causing $1 billion in economic losses to the U.S. livestock industry annually due to weight gain, blood loss, and stress. bull. 1,2 This publication will help beef cattle producers prevent production losses caused by horn flies in cattle.
Hornflies take 10 to 20 days to develop from egg to adult stage, and the adult lifespan is about 1 to 2 weeks and feeds 20 to 30 times per day. 3 Although insecticide-impregnated ear tags do make fly control easier. management goals, each producer still has to make decisions related to fly management. There are four main types of insecticidal ear tags based on their active ingredients. These include organophosphorus insecticides (diazinon and fenthion), synthetic pyrethroids (mutton cyhalothrin and cyfluthrin), abamectin (the newest label type), and three of the most commonly used pesticides. The fourth type of agent combination. Examples of insecticide combinations include a combination of an organophosphate and a synthetic pyrethroid or a combination of a synthetic pyrethroid and abamectin.
The first ear tags contained only pyrethroid insecticides and were very effective. Just a few years later, horn flies began to develop resistance to pyrethroid insecticides. A key contributing factor is the widespread use and often misuse of pyrethroid labels. 4.5 Resistance management should be included in any fly control program, regardless of product or method of application. There are cases of resistance to many of the insecticides used to control horn flies, especially pyrethroids and organophosphate insecticides. North Dakota was the first to issue recommendations to help prevent the development of insecticide-resistant horn fly populations. 6 Changes to these recommendations are described below to help effectively control horn flies while preventing the development of insecticide-resistant populations.
FARGO, N.D. – Face flies, horn flies and stable flies are the most common and most commonly treated pests in the North Dakota livestock industry. If left unchecked, these pests can cause significant damage to livestock production. Luckily, North Dakota State University Extension experts say the right pest management strategies can provide effective control. While the integrated pest […]
AUBURN UNIVERSITY, Alabama. Slingshot flies can become a serious problem for cattle herds during the summer. Commonly used fly control methods include spraying, leaching and dusting. However, a recent trend in livestock production is to find alternative methods of fly control. One method that has gained national attention is the use of garlic, cinnamon and […]
LINCOLN, Nebraska. Late August and September usually mark the time when pasture fly season should end. However, over the past few years, our fall has been consistently warm, sometimes extending into early November, and flies have lingered at problematic levels longer than usual. According to numerous weather forecasts, the coming fall will be no exception. If[…]
MARYVILLE, Kansas. Not only are flies annoying, but they can also be dangerous, whether they cause a painful bite that interferes with your horse’s ability to ride, or they transmit diseases to horses and cattle. “Flies are a nuisance and difficult to control. Often we cannot control them properly, we just […]
Post time: Jun-17-2024