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product, which contains S-Methoprene, is applied as a gran- ule directly into the muck or areas where flies and maggots are breeding, adding that “Larvenol will ensure that the lar- vae can’t develop into adult flies and will control an infesta- tion before it starts, targeting 80% of their lifecycle”. As with residual fly sprays and feed additives, it is important to make sure your larvicide of choice complies with local laws and legislation.
Residual fly sprays and feed additives In addition to proper sanitation on your dairy operation, re- sidual fly sprays could help when battling adult flies. Prof Townsend argues that they should be applied to fly resting areas in loafing sheds and barns, as fly sprays used as space sprays, mists or fogs have no residual activity; that is, they will only eradicate the flies that are present at the moment of ap- plication. Another method of using residual fly control is through feed additives, which prevent the flies from breeding due to the larvicide present in the dairy cows’ manure. One such feed additive is ClariFly Larvicide. This larvicide is added to the dairy cow’s feed rations to eradicate flies in their larval stage. According to the company, adding this ingredi- ent to the feed ration is all the work an employee needs to do to reduce disease-carrying fly populations on an operation. Kramp offers a permethrin-based residual fly spray solution. In addition to eradicating house flies and stable flies, the product has a long-lasting effect against mosquitoes, mites and crawling vermin such as cockroaches and ants. When selecting a residual fly spray or a feed additive, make sure to check that it is approved and legal to use on your operation.
Larvicides Previously mentioned as a feed additive, larvicides are an ef- fective way to get rid of flies on your operation by targeting the early stages of their development. Larvicides provide a useful solution when sanitation and manure management measures cannot be used or are not efficient enough. When using larvicide, make sure to treat areas with large numbers of maggots, and do not spray animals with these solutions. Lodi UK offers Larvenol larvicide. Lodi UK states that the
36 ▶ DAIRY GLOBAL | Volume 8, No. 3, 2021
Screening Screening is a less invasive fly control solution than using re- sidual fly sprays, feed additives or larvicides. Screening and other mechanical control methods prevent flies from enter- ing the milk room and milking parlours. Screens come in a va- riety of shapes. Securing fine mesh screening over windows and ensuring any crevices are closed off prevents flies from entering the barn. Fans, too, are a useful addition to your fly control programme, as a downward and outward airflow makes it difficult for flies to enter the barn. Additionally, air curtains are useful in keeping flies out of the milk room and milking parlour. Berner air curtains are used on a dairy farm and come with an additional perk: using the air curtains keeps equipment from freezing up.
Fly traps Fly traps, like screening and other mechanical control meth- ods, are not as invasive as the use of residual fly sprays, feed additives or larvicides. Fly traps come in a variety of shapes and sizes and have the additional benefit of being suitable for outdoor use (in some cases). Though not eradicating flies at the source, they are a good way to get rid of existing popula- tions. DeLaval provides a wide variety of fly trap products, ranging from fly bags to window fly traps, fly sheets, fly string and fly curtains. The fly bags are used outdoors and kill flies with a non-toxic bait, and the window fly traps are used in the barn. These glue traps use very strong, natural glue to catch the flies, and DeLaval states that the design of the trap “attracts flies even at dusk thanks to its 3-D pattern and col- ours”. The same goes for the fly sheets, fly string and fly cur- tains. In addition to products such as those offered by DeLaval, ultraviolet lights and bottle traps are used as non- invasive fly control measures.
Fly parasite programmes In addition to using residual fly sprays, feed additives, larvi- cides, screening and fly traps, fly parasite programmes are used to treat areas infested by flies. Prof Townsend explains that several commercial firms offer fly parasite release pro- grammes in which small wasp parasites lay eggs in the larvae or pupae of house flies. The benefits of such programmes have not yet been proven, and Prof Townsend urges that if you try them, including sanitation and chemical treatments will probably be essential.
PHOTO: SHAD0WFALL I PIXABAY
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