Fly Control

Been having trouble keeping the fly's at bay in the barn, they're starting to really bug the cattle. Anyone have tips/tricks to help with flies? I am currently using strips and traps then spraying the steers down with a general fly spray. Also some of the people in the barn sprinkle some red liquid type substance, works really well, anyone know what is is? And has anyone heard of War Paint? It's for horses but can it be used on cattle and does it work?

i use fly predators (yes, somewhat pricey) and chickens, which yes eat the predators.  we've had a relatively cool summer, but the fly traps i have elsewhere have almost no flies.  amazing.

We have used war paint and it works well around the face and eyes...

i like using a Permethrin premise spray - i usually get a small concentrated bottle at the farm store and mix up in a pump sprayer and when i get done turning calve out at night and cleanind up, I'll spray it on the walls, on the gates, on the fans, on the mister system, on the mat, on the ceiling and floor (not the bedding) and then I'll close up the barn for the night and open it back up in the morning. seems to keep the flies at bay for about 3-4 weeks. it can still be used if you can't get your calf area all closed up too.  :-\ but it works for me - good luck

plus i have a bottle of just plain jane horse fly spray that i mix with kleen sheen for spraying on the calves at the shows and at home.


JWW

Add Rabon to the feed, put out fly bait and traps.  Very few flies in our barn.

Golden Marlin fly bait works very well.  Sprinkle on an ice cream pail lid and set out in the barn it will fill up fast.

The face flys have really exploded here. The biting flys(heel flys not bad). There will be 10 to 15 flies on the face of the calves in lot. Having some eye watering pink eye looking problems. Trying to stay on top of.