Flies cause potential reductions in feed efficiency, weight gain, milk production, and milkfat content, in addition to spreading many diseases!
Filth flies pose a threat to dairy and beef operations and can be controlled effectively with proper sanitation in conjunction with other treatments that may include traps, monitors, mechanical devices, and insecticide treatments. Our comprehensive initial inspection will enable our Pest Management Specialist to assess the severity of infestation and design a strategic Pest Management Program that will effectively control fly populations. All our services are based on the environmentally responsible principles of Integrated Pest Management.
Bovine Diseases Transmitted By Flies:
- Foot and Mouth Disease is an acute, highly communicable virus which occurs mostly in cattle, pigs, sheep, and goats. The virus can live up to 72 hours, clinging to the fine hairs on the body of a fly. Symptoms include eruptions in the mouth.
- Pinkeye is known to be transmitted by Face Flies and affects both humans and animals and is very common in cattle. Cases commonly occur in summer and autumn, when flies are most abundant and this disease spreads rapidly.
- Anthrax is a virus that enters animal's bodies through a lesion on the skin, inhalation of spores, or is ingested with food. There are vaccines for animals and several antibiotics available.
- Mastitis bacteria can survive up to 16 days within a carrier fly, during which time the disease may be spread from one cow to another unless teat dip is used.
Sanitation
Sanitation in the housing facilities includes a rather intensive and consistent program but is well worth the effort. Manure, feed, and bedding are a perfect breeding ground for flies.
- Remove manure and soiled bedding on a regular basis paying particular attention to areas under fences and in corners where manure and urine will accumulate most.
- Clean all areas with frequent scraping and flushing.
- Manure storage and disposal is very important and you can do this by either keeping the manure extra dry and compacted or very wet, in an anaerobic lagoon.
- Manure and soiled bedding can be spread on fields at the depth of 2 inches or less.
- Composting can be quite effective as long as the pile is turned every couple of weeks and covered with black plastic which will produce enough heat to kill fly larvae.
- Calf hutches should be cleaned regularly and you may wish to use sawdust instead of straw. Sawdust has been shown to reduce fly maggots by 50 to 90 percent, and is sometimes less costly as well.
- Also move hutches often and place them on soil with good drainage.
- Store feed, bedding, hay, and silage off the ground on skids.
- Regularly inspect the exterior perimeter of your housing facilities and remove debris and vegetation.
- Regularly inspect the exterior of the housing facilities for gaps that should be caulked and check screened windows for holes and small slices that will invite entry by flies.
The Face Fly
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The Face Fly is about 1/4 inch, gray with black spots on back and abdomen, 4 dark stripes on its back, and has a straw-coloured face. It has 2 large, compound eyes and broad, fleshy mouthparts. It looks like a housefly but its breeding and behaviour differ.
The Face Fly lives in the pasture and occasionally overwinters in buildings. It lays its eggs outdoors in very fresh manure. It is usually found around the heads of animals especially the moist areas where tears and saliva accumulate. The Face Fly is also attracted to open wounds and will feed on blood.
The Face Fly carries pinkeye and infections that many cause blindness. Although it doesn't bite, it puts the animals in a great deal of distress and can result in their weight loss and reduced milk production.
Face Flies should be eliminated for your animals' welfare and for its impact on your bottom line.
The Stable Fly
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The Stable Fly is 1/4 inch, gray with black spots on its back and abdomen, and 4 dark stripes on its back.
It is similar to the House Fly but delivers a painful bite to humans as well as animals. It has a black proboscis or beak with which it pierces skin and feeds on the blood of its host. The female Stable Fly needs 3 blood meals for each batch of eggs. You will find these flies resting ins hade on trees and buildings when not feeding and in pastures and near housing.
They favour decaying organic matter for breeding. They bite any warm-blooded animals, including humans and particularly like to feed on the ears and legs of the host, attacking only during the day. Cattle will show increases in heart rate, respiration rate, and temperature when infested with just 25 to 50 Stable Flies. Stable Flies pose a major threat to your animals' welfare, milk production, and feed efficiency.