Face Flies

[JMJ Farms]

What's the best insecticide you've used for controlling face flies? And what has been the most successful application method? (Rubs, dusters, spray, pour on , etc)

 

[TCRanch]

Ear tags, rubs & dusters never worked very well for us. The only thing that has consistently worked is spraying Fly Ban, which also works for ticks & lice. I think it's marketed for horses but works like a charm, as in flies are gone within 10 minutes. We don't actually spray the face but from behind, get the neck, ears, some of the residual lands/seeps on the face.

 

[True Grit Farms]

Ultra Boss and Ultra Sabre are good products for fly control. But so far I've found nothing that works as good as the cheap generic pour on wormer.

 

[JMJ Farms]

Ultra Boss and Ultra Sabre are good products for fly control. But so far I've found nothing that works as good as the cheap generic pour on wormer.

I agree 150%. Actually used a cheap pour on ivermectin last week while I was drenching with synanthic. I can usually keep the horn flys in check. Just don't want any pinkeye problems and m thinking this year may be bad, especially on all these white faced calves.

 

[TCRanch]

Do you vaccinate for Pinkeye? Obviously not a guarantee but the only eye problems we've had in years are from stemmy bales.

 

[JW IN VA]

I have had good results with rubs and/or sprays.usually use permithren.

 

[JMJ Farms]

Do you vaccinate for Pinkeye? Obviously not a guarantee but the only eye problems we've had in years are from stemmy bales.

No I don't. And I'm not trying to be contrary I promise but the last time I had any pinkeye issues was the year I did vaccinate for it. Coincidence? Probably. But you know how we humans get when we have a bad experience.

JW I have pretty good luck with those also. But my cows really don't cooperate all that well when spraying in an open pasture. I can spray them pretty good but it takes a while. Gonna add a couple more rubs with some face flyps I guess.

 

[Ky hills]

Ultra Boss and Ultra Sabre are good products for fly control. But so far I've found nothing that works as good as the cheap generic pour on wormer.

I agree 150%. Actually used a cheap pour on ivermectin last week while I was drenching with synanthic. I can usually keep the horn flys in check. Just don't want any pinkeye problems and m thinking this year may be bad, especially on all these white faced calves.

Using the Ivermectin pour on for fly control sounds interesting to me. How often do you use it? And do you apply it in different locations other than just down the topline starting at the shoulders?

 

[JW IN VA]

You folks using cheap generic (or name brand.for that matter)might want to re-think it.I have done it also but now I'm wondering about using it too often and making resistant worms.

 

[midTN_Brangusman]

This subject has my interest for sure, I recently asked my vet about using ivermectin for fly control since I have a neighbor that swears by it. He said a lot of people are doing it, but those cattle will eventually become resistant to wormer. I guess only time will tell.

 

[JMJ Farms]

I still only use the cheap pour on once a year, even though it's good fly control. My worming program may not be the best but here it goes. I drench with synanthic and use a cheap pour on in the spring. Then in fall I use dectomax pour on and drench with safeguard. I have had one vet say "use the same wormer till it quits working". Had another say "rotate wormers every time" ? I don't have the "right" answer.

 

[3B Cattle Company]

I've been using the vet gun lately. Basically the same product as Ultra Saber...works very well.

 

[ClinchValley]

I've been using the vet gun lately. Basically the same product as Ultra Saber...works very well.

What has your experience been with this device? Good/bad? Effective/not effective?

 

[3B Cattle Company]

The cattle have adjusted to it. There was definitely a learning curve for them. What i tend to do is put some cubes out for them then keep the truck running (diesel) so the sound of the gun is muffled. Its not loud by any means but does have a sort of "thunk" sound when you shoot it. I've had much better luck when their head is down eating. At first they jumped a good bit and wondered what in the world just happened now its just a little flinch and they go back to eating. The cap's work great, but don't seem to last near as long as the Ultra Saber. We're only getting around 2, maybe a max of 3 weeks per application. Rain seems to have an effect on it..although it shouldn't. Overall i'm pretty happy with it. I think running them through the chute and using the pour on is more effective, but the convenience of the vet gun when you're extremely busy is where the real value resides.

 

[Pointer1160]

I have had great luck with Ultra Boss.

 

[rockroadseminole]

How long is your pour on product lasting?

3B, I have been looking into the vet gun. It would really be convenient to do the drive by method, but doing it every 2 weeks sounds expensive. We've used ear tags in the past with mixed results, and it would be nice to avoid the chute.

 

[dun]

We pour them with Boss or UltraBoss in the spring, along with IGR minerals and fly mops that they have to pass trough to reach water. Have nearly zero fly issues.