What are they? External parasites are organisms that live on another organism (cattle) called its host. Parasites benefit by deriving nutrients at the host's expense. What they look like, how to prevent your cattle from getting them, how to get ride of them, what harm they can cause.

Cattle Lice- All USA Mites- All USA Ticks- All USA Common Horse and Deer flies- All USA Mosquitoes- All USA Common Cattle grub- Florida Most common External Parasites in the US

Lice

Mites are arachnids that burrow into the cow's skin, sucking blood and laying eggs. Due to this the cow’s skin begins to flake, get scabby, excessive itching and even hair loss, this is called mange. To treat a cow with mites separate them from the herd and then treat. There are two types of medication: injectable and pour on you can get from a vet or some feed stores. If at all possible treat the rest of the herd as well to prevent them from contracting the parasite.

Ticks are arachnids that drop on to passing animals from trees or tall grasses. Ticks attach themselves to the animal nearly burying their heads under the skin to suck the blood. There are chemical sprays you can use around your property to help prevent your cattle from getting ticks. Your cattle can NOT graze where the spray has been used. Unfortunately the only way to rid your animal of ticks is to remove them by hand making sure to get the heads, or to let the ticks take their cores and fall of on their own. Be sure any animal with ticks is separated form the others. Ticks can carry Lime Disease which if not treated can lead to death.

Flies are insects that are like natures garbage disposals eating manure, trash, and blood. There are a few preventions tactics to help make your animals more comfortable. There are outside traps that can be used such as Fly sticky tape, Stinky traps, and there are also sprays that can be put into a Misting System. Flies cause extreme discomfort for your cattle, making them irritable and moody which can cause them to become unpredictable and dangerous. Misting System Fly sticky tape Stinky traps

Mosquitoes are small flying insect of the Culicidae family, known for biting and sucking blood, leaving an itching bump on the skin. Only female mosquitoes suck blood, they require the blood to help develop their eggs. Mosquitoes can be dangerous to cattle because they can carry7 the West Nile virus which attacks the central nervous system, causeing unstable walking and lack of coronation this progressively gets worse and in some cases causing death if not treated in time. Luckily it is highly uncommon for cattle to contract the virus, but if Symptoms show contact a vet right away.

Grubs are the larva of the bomb/heel fly, which lays its egg on the hairs of their legs and underbellies. Once the grub hatches it burrows under the skin to live and feed. When grub firs t hatch and enter the skin, they can releases toxins that could cause paralysis of the hind legs. To prevent your cattle from contracting grubs there are sprays you can use on your cattle themselves and traps to stop the flies. There are also sprays for if your cattle get grubs.

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