Unit 6: Insect Pest Management for Livestock

Unit 6: Insect Pest Management for Livestock

Unit 6 Objectives: Introduce pest management options for livestock Discuss various strategies Identify various pests Understand treatment and control options

Unit 6: Insect Pest Management for Livestock

Successful pest management is a key part to effective and profitable livestock production

Are losses due to pests noticeable? Pests can also transmit significant diseases Effective management programs should include the

following control tactics: Cultural Mechanical Biological Chemical

Unit 6: Insect Pest Management for Livestock

Properly used treatments will have no adverse effect on the animal, or production

Avermectin is the most common active ingredient in medications Controls the following pests:

Grubs, lice, ticks, mites Can be used on non-lactating dairy cattle and

beef cattle, and swine Many products contain this active ingredient

What are they?

Unit 6: Insect Pest Management for Livestock

Epps Trap Dark silhouette traps attract biting flies Bugs collecting in a soapy solution Effective for control of:

Horse flies, deer flies, and stable flies Doesn’t control:

Face flies, house flies, horn flies Recommend 1 per 40 ac. Cost $150-200 Will need fenced cage for protection

Unit 6: Insect Pest Management for Livestock

Using Livestock Insecticides User is always responsible for results Precautions:

Read the label Avoid breathing sprays or dusts Wash thoroughly from your skin No eating, drinking, or smoking while handling the

pesticide Use in well ventilated areas Do not exceed treatment recommendations

May result in reactions or residues

Unit 6: Insect Pest Management for Livestock

Observe withholds Don’t treat stressed animals Avoid contamination

Feed Water Mangers Milk Milking equipment

Adhere to restrictions for manure applications on crops

Keeps records of use and medications

Unit 6: Insect Pest Management for Livestock

Store and dispose of properly Beware of poison risks

Blurred vision Abdominal cramps Chest tightness Contact a physician

Preventing Livestock Poisoning Livestock can be killed if they consume dusts,

powders, or granules Observe treatment methods and applicators

closely

Unit 6: Insect Pest Management for Livestock

Fly Control in Livestock Buildings & Feedlots Common pests

House fly, stable flies, blow flies Develop in moist, organic wastes

Manure Spilled feeds Garbage Decaying material

Breeding areas are located in dark, damp areas Most flies are not blood suckers and are mainly

nuisances

Unit 6: Insect Pest Management for Livestock

Stable flies do bite and suck blood Treatments

Most control of these pests should not center on the animal itself

Dusts Provide little control in and around buildings Only provide some relief on an animal

Sprays Can be directed on the animal’s body Only provides control on the body No significant control of overall fly population

Unit 6: Insect Pest Management for Livestock

Sanitation provides better control Scrape manure regularly Remove bedding Remove any other built up manure/feed Spread manure where it can quickly dry

Covering manure can help Apply insecticide to the manure pile Sawdust bedding also keeps flies down effectively

Why?

Unit 6: Insect Pest Management for Livestock

Remove all other wasted feeds/grains Hay piles outside can also be a prime breeding

ground Keep the ground dry around water tanks Insecticide treatments may still be necessary in

addition to proper sanitation Premise treatments may be warranted

Separate recommendations for milking rooms