Epi. 245 – Understanding the Impact of Flies on Cattle

AABP Executive Director Dr. Fred Gingrich is joined by Dr. A.J. Tarpoff, Beef Cattle Extension Veterinarian, Kansas State University, to discuss what you need to know about flies to help your clients with treatment and control programs.

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Diagnosis of the type of fly is an important first step in managing treatment and control programs. The three main flies affecting cattle are horn flies, face flies and stable flies. Horn flies spend the majority of their life on the animal, typically along the withers, are blood feeders, and lay eggs in fresh manure. Face flies feed on eye secretions, damage the cornea, are not found in the hot southern regions of the U.S., and lay eggs in fresh manure. They do not spend most of their time on the animal. Stable flies are biting flies and a nuisance pest that lays eggs in decaying organic matter such as spoiled feed. 

Tarpoff walks through the basic treatment and control methods for flies which include insecticidal ear tags, pour-ons or sprays, dusters/oilers, and feed through products that are insect growth regulators. We discuss best management practices to improve effectiveness of these products as well as mitigating resistance to ensure efficacy. 

It is also important for veterinarians and producers to be aware of the threat of New World Screwworm which is a fly that is threatening introduction into the U.S. If you suspect a case, Tarpoff recommends immediately contacting your state animal health official and to collect the larvae for identification.

AABP will host a webinar on August 14 on New World Screwworm and members can access upcoming webinar information on this page. The Have You Herd? episode on New World Screwworm can be found here. You can also access New World Screwworm resources on this page of the AABP website.