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 $ 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