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Home » Animal Health » Sheep Products » Blowfly Control
Blowfly Control

Blowfly Control

Blowflies are a significant pest for sheep producers, leading to poor animal health and major economic burdens if left untreated. To avoid flystrike and its consequences, it’s critical to employ effective blowfly control methods like preventative chemical treatments and products for addressing active flystrike.

Explore our range of proven blowfly control products today to keep this harmful pest at bay amongst your flock.

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Why is blowfly control important? 

Blowflies are a common pest in Australia, and are responsible for a condition that affects sheep called flystrike. This occurs when blowflies (Lucilia cuprina) lay eggs on a sheep’s skin, typically around the breech (back end), body wounds, or fleece rot. Once hatched, blowfly maggots feed on the sheep’s flesh, which can lead to pain, tissue damage like lesions and infections, and if left untreated, death. From a production perspective, flystrike can cause weight loss and reduced wool quality.

Flystrike presents an animal welfare concern and an economic burden for sheep producers. It costs the industry millions in lost productivity, treatment, and prevention annually – so it’s critical to take preventative measures.

Where is flystrike prevalent? 

The risk of flystrike is highest in warm, humid conditions, typically throughout spring and summer and particularly in regions with significant rainfall. 

How to prevent and treat blowfly in sheep

Effective blowfly control in sheep involves a combination of chemical treatments, good management practices, and breeding strategies.

Preventative chemical treatments

Preventative products are applied before flystrike occurs. They contain insect growth regulators (IGRs) or insecticides to inhibit maggot development. 

There are several active ingredients used to prevent flystrike, including: 

    • Dicyclanil (e.g., CLiK®): This offers long-lasting protection for between 18 and 24 weeks, and is commonly used in the lead-up to fly season. 
    • Cyromazine (e.g., Vetrazin®): While cyromazine’s efficacy period is shorter – up to 11 weeks – it is still a widely used and effective blowfly control treatment. 
  • Spinosad (e.g., Extinosad): This natural insecticide offers good efficacy and a low risk of resistance. 
  • Insecticidal backliners (e.g., Vanquish): These are applied along the sheep’s back to provide targeted protection, depending on your chosen product’s formulation. 

Treatment of active flystrike 

If sheep have already been struck by flystrike, use products like iodine-based wound dressings, organophosphate sprays, or topical antibiotics to kill maggots and promote healing. Severely affected sheep may require shearing of the infected area and additional veterinary care. Always consult your vet if you’re unsure of the best approach for treating active flystrike. 

Integrated management strategies for blowfly control 

Long-term blowfly control involves more than just chemicals. Sheep producers should also adopt integrated pest management strategies: 

    • Crutching and shearing: Regular removal of wool from around the breech will reduce soiling and keep flies at bay. 
    • Mulesing: Surgically removing skin folds can reduce flystrike risk in commonly affected areas.
    • Breeding for flystrike resistance: By selecting sheep with traits like less wrinkled skin and lower fleece moisture will help control the risk of infestation in your flock. 
  • Monitoring and paddock hygiene: Keep pastures clean and check sheep regularly during high-risk periods to mitigate flystrike. 

By combining chemical treatments and integrated pest management strategies, producers can significantly reduce the likelihood of blowfly infestations in their flock and avoid the severe fallouts that may occur when flystrike is acquired. 

Shop blowfly control methods now, and don’t hesitate to contact the team of experts at Specialist Sales if you need product advice.