Horn flies are blood-feeding flies that impact production on cattle operations. Populations of these flies tend to peak in June. The hot, dry days of summer tend to decrease the overall population. However, in late August to September as the temperatures begin to decrease and humidity increases, the horn fly population tends to peak again.
The common classes of fly control products are pyrethroids, organophosphates, macrocyclic lactones, and insect growth regulators. These products are approved to be used in many different application methods. Understanding of the product label is very important.
Classes of fly control products and chemical names include:
- Pyrethroids—fenvalerate, permethrin, cyfluthrin, lambda-cyhalothrin, zeta-cypermethrin, bifenthrin, deltamethrin;
- Macrocyclic lactones—abamectin, eprinomectin, ivermectin, moxidectin, doramectin, spinosad;
- Organophosphates—diazinon, coumaphos, pirimiphos-methyl, chlorpyrifos, phosmet, tetrachlorvinphos; and
- Insect growth regulators (IGR) —methoprene, diflubenzuron.
Many producers use insecticide-impregnated fly tags to provide fly control for the majority of the grazing season. It is important to note what class of ear tag is used on a yearly basis.
Resistance is a real concern and proper steps should be taken to help mitigate it. Several generations of flies occur during the grazing season. During the multiple-generation turnover, flies do develop some level of resistance in continued presence of a parasiticide.
It is important to remove spent fly tags once they have lost their efficacy. The sub-therapeutic levels of product left in the tags hasten development of resistance. It is also recommended to switch the class of fly tag (not just brand) on a yearly basis.
If placed too early in the season, the fly tags will lose potency and efficacy late in the season when the fly burden will be peaking once again. Depending of the tag, length of expected efficacy may be three to five months.
Extra steps may be needed when the fly tag loses its effect. These include changing the class of parasiticide tag after the first has run its course, and using a spot-on/spray treatment. The spot-on/spray products are shorter acting (2-4 weeks) than the ear tags. Since they have less residual activity, they carry minimal risk of developing resistance when used at this time.
These extra steps can be extremely successful for a number of reasons as it will reduce the number of resistant flies that overwinter as well as reducing the overall population in the area. Timing of application and product use are always important topics to review with your local veterinarian to develop a site-specific pest management plan. — J. Tarpoff, DVM, Kansas State University Extension veterinarian
