Fly Control Tips

Fly tags: This may seem like a simple solution, but it’s a proven one. Fly tags are constantly improving to work better. So make sure to do your research and get the most bang for your buck. Also follow the label directions on the number of tags per cow. Every two years change the main ingredients in your fly tags, otherwise the flies will become resistant. Make sure the main ingredient you use in your fly tag is consistent throughout the rest of your management techniques.
Dust bags/cattle rubs: These are helpful because most of them can be used on all cattle, include pregnant and lactating animals. The trick to these being effective is putting them in a spot where all cattle must use it. They help reduce face and horn flies.
Pour-ons/Sprays: You can use pour-ons when you put in the fly tags to reduce the number of times you have to work cattle. You can also spray cattle numerous times throughout the year to reduce fly populations.
Fly traps: This one might seem silly, but fly traps are actually a beneficial way to reduce the fly population. The number of fly traps you need is dependent on the size of your property. Place the fly traps in places the cattle congregate, under a group of trees or by food/water troughs. Be sure to check them periodically and replace them to keep the population low.
Oral larvicides (feed-throughs) and insect growth regulators (IGRs): Both of these kill horn fly larvae that develop in manure. The only issue is that they have to be fed steadily and there can’t be a neighboring farm within a mile that is not using the same active-ingredient technology. The reason for the neighboring farm is that the flies can travel from that farm and make your program ineffective.

By: Michelle Bufkin, Alabama Beef Extension Intern, and Kim Mullenix, Ph.D., Extension Beef Cattle Systems Specialist