Insecticidal ear tags and sprays for the control of flies on cattle

Ear tags containing 8.5 per cent w/w cypermethrin gave almost complete control of the biting muscid, Haematobosca stimulans. Protection afforded against nuisance flies was more variable; generally a 70 to 80 per cent reduction of headfly, Hydrotaea irritans, and a 60 to 70 per cent reduction of Morellia simplex. Ear tags containing 8.5 per cent fenvalerate also gave significant protection against biting and nuisance flies. Spraying with 500 ppm cyhalothrin or 1000 ppm cypermethrin afforded complete protection against H stimulans and reduced the burden of H irritans by approximately 90 per cent and M simplex by 80 to 90 per cent. A two week interval between treatments is suggested although this could be extended where weather conditions were favourable to the retention of insecticide on the skin or fly challenge was low. No significant increase in liveweight gain was associated with fly control. Treated animals were less disturbed when grazing and were more easily handled, especially when milking.