Flies and other pests do more than just bother your animals. If their populations are high enough, their constant irritation can keep cattle from eating, bringing their weight down. Also, some livestock diseases can be spread by flies, and when horses and cows scratch too much due to bites, they can cause wounds that may become infected. For the health of your livestock, use the following tips and farm supplies to minimize the presence of flies.

How to Reduce the Fly Population on Your Farm

1. Plan Your Livestock Area’s Layout

Manure and compost piles are havens for flies, which breed and lay eggs in these moist, nutrient-rich environments. Place these features far from barns, pastures, and other areas where livestock will be spending most of their time. 

Flies also lay their eggs in mud, so keep your pasture from becoming too wet. Divide your pasture area into multiple sections and rotate animals between them, giving each zone a chance to dry out before reintroducing your livestock to it.

3. Use Insecticides

A pour-on, topical spray or ear tag insecticide will kill off insects that interact with your livestock. You should only use one of these types of applications at a time to avoid unwanted interactions, but rotating between them every few years will keep pests from developing resistance. 

Larvicides and insect growth regulators can also be applied to feed as additives. For an all-natural solution, consider releasing fly predators on breeding grounds such as manure piles. These wasps don’t sting or bite you or your livestock; instead, they feed on fly larvae, preventing them from reaching adulthood and breeding.

3. Keep the Area Clean

Manure, uneaten feed, and used hay provide shelter and food for flies and should be removed regularly to keep your livestock areas clean. If you’re not going to remove manure, use a drag to spread it, which will make it dry out faster so that it’s less hospitable for flies. Feed storage areas also need regular cleaning to sweep up any spilled food and identify areas where pests may be entering or multiplying.

For fly control treatments in Baxter County, AR, choose Gregg Farm Services. This farm supply, gardening, and feed store has served Gassville for over 45 years, forming a close relationship with every customer. They’ll provide the supplies you need for healthy livestock. To learn more about their farm supplies, call (870) 481-5165 or reach out online.