Don’t be fooled into thinking it is too early to begin a fly control plan in February/March! Flies have a short lifecycle (although weather dependent) and produce high numbers of eggs. By the time we begin to see the odd adult fly on the farm, we can be sure the environment has high numbers in the developing stages.
85% of the fly population is in developing stages in the environment. If we do not attempt to implement control measures until we see visible problems with high numbers of adult flies (such as cows kicking off units, decreased feed intake, farmers themselves being irritated by them) then the numbers of eggs, larvae and pupae in the environment will be so large, no matter how we attempt to control them at this point – we are fighting a losing battle for the rest of the season.
It is self-explanatory that the more adult flies there are, the more eggs can be laid in the environment each day. Based on this simple fact, if we start killing adult flies as soon as we notice odd ones, there will be lower egg numbers in the environment.
Below shows the dramatic reduction in fly population when we compare treating with a fly pour-on once the flies have become a nuisance (pic1) and at the very beginning of the season (pic2). It is clear an early treatment prevents the huge peak in fly population.
Management options
We are never going to eliminate the fly population, but we must manage it and limit the damage caused! One method alone will have a small but positive impact; implementing as many methods as can be practical on your farming system is key.
· Reduce breeding sites: Treat or remove manure heaps and slurry lagoons. Don’t allow for straw bedded pens to build up (or consider alternative bedding such as sawdust or sand).
· Treat resting areas: chemical treatment on fly resting areas such as walls in the calf shed, window frames and lights.
· Insecticides to kill developing stages in the environment
· Pour on products for our animals to kill adults only: fly does have to land on the animal to die.
· Ear tags: Electron tags which act as a season-long repellent – ideal for cattle that aren’t handled often.
· Sticky tape to kill adult flies
What damage are they doing?
· Production losses: They are a nuisance, cows and calves are less likely to stand to eat/drink/rest because they feel irritated. They will spend more time swishing tails, shaking heads and generally putting more energy into moving around than growing/producing milk.
· Stress: to farmer & cow/calf through irritation.
· Disease: Flies can be a serious vector for disease spread. The non-biting flies that feed on bodily secretion can be responsible for transmitting costly diseases such as summer mastitis and New-forest eye.
· Milk quality: where cows are being bitten with flies through milking it is often noted they kick off units more regularly. This can lead to more bacteria entering the tank.
Sammy Howorth
Calf & Youngstock Specialist
Lancashire & Cumbria
m: 07810 444948
It is self-explanatory that the more adult flies there are, the more eggs can be laid in the environment each day. Based on this simple fact, if we start killing adult flies as soon as we notice odd ones, there will be lower egg numbers in the environment.
Below shows the dramatic reduction in fly population when we compare treating with a fly pour-on once the flies have become a nuisance (pic1) and at the very beginning of the season (pic2). It is clear an early treatment prevents the huge peak in fly population.
We are never going to eliminate the fly population, but we must manage it and limit the damage caused! One method alone will have a small but positive impact; implementing as many methods as can be practical on your farming system is key.
· Reduce breeding sites: Treat or remove manure heaps and slurry lagoons. Don’t allow for straw bedded pens to build up (or consider alternative bedding such as sawdust or sand).
· Treat resting areas: chemical treatment on fly resting areas such as walls in the calf shed, window frames and lights.
· Insecticides to kill developing stages in the environment
· Pour on products for our animals to kill adults only: fly does have to land on the animal to die.
· Ear tags: Electron tags which act as a season-long repellent – ideal for cattle that aren’t handled often.
· Sticky tape to kill adult flies
What damage are they doing?
· Production losses: They are a nuisance, cows and calves are less likely to stand to eat/drink/rest because they feel irritated. They will spend more time swishing tails, shaking heads and generally putting more energy into moving around than growing/producing milk.
· Stress: to farmer & cow/calf through irritation.
· Disease: Flies can be a serious vector for disease spread. The non-biting flies that feed on bodily secretion can be responsible for transmitting costly diseases such as summer mastitis and New-forest eye.
· Milk quality: where cows are being bitten with flies through milking it is often noted they kick off units more regularly. This can lead to more bacteria entering the tank.
Species | Type | Where Found | Behaviour |
Stable Fly (Stomoxys calcitrans) | Biting - Bloodsucking | Lower part of body – legs | Feed once or twice/day and spends rest of the time off the host |
Horn Fly (Haematobia irritans(L.) | Biting - Bloodsucking | Backs | May feed up to 20 times/day. Spends most of time on the host |
House Fly (Musca domestica) | Non-biting | Eyes and nose, teat ends or wounds | Feed on various secretions from the animal |
Face Fly (Musca autumnalis | Non-biting | Eyes and nose, teat ends or wounds | Feed on various secretions from the animal |
Head Fly (Hydrotea irritans) | Non-biting | Eyes and nose, teat ends or wounds | Feed on various secretions from the animal |
Sammy Howorth
Calf & Youngstock Specialist
Lancashire & Cumbria
m: 07810 444948