Horn & Face Flies
Horn and face flies are common pests that primarily affect cattle but can also annoy horses, sheep, and other livestock. These flies can cause significant discomfort and health issues for animals, reducing productivity and increasing stress. Follow these tips to reduce horn and face fly populations.
Quick Tips for Horn & Face Fly Control
These flies breed in fresh, undisturbed cattle manure, so managing manure in pastures is key. Harrowing to disrupt cow pats can prevent reproduction.
Fly Predators can help control these flies but must be released near manure piles to be effective.
Horn and face flies are increasingly resistant to many pesticides, so integrated pest management strategies are essential.
These flies often affect horses and other livestock only when they’re close to cattle, so addressing cattle-related issues is crucial.
Horn Flies (Haematobia irritans)
Identification:
Size & Appearance: Horn flies are slender and small, about 3/16” long, which is half the size of a typical house fly.
Behavior: They spend most of their lives on the host animal, usually congregating on the back and shoulders. During hot or rainy weather, they move to the animal’s belly for protection.
Impact on Animals:
Large populations (over 200 flies per animal) can cause significant issues, including:
- Lower weight gain in livestock.
- Decreased milk production in dairy animals.
- Animals becoming agitated, which can lead to self-injury.
Breeding:
Horn fly females lay eggs only in very fresh, undisturbed cattle manure from animals grazing on forages. After cattle are removed, horn fly populations typically decline rapidly.
Management:
- Fly Predators: Effective when released in pastures near manure, as they parasitize horn fly pupae.
- Manure Management: Harrowing pastures to break up cow pats can prevent horn flies from reproducing.
- Resistance Awareness: Horn flies are resistant to many traditional pesticides, so alternative or integrated methods are often required.
Face Flies (Musca autumnalis)
Identification:
Size & Appearance: Face flies are small, about 1/4 inch long, and resemble house flies. They are greyish-brown with four dark stripes on the thorax and a grey-black patterned abdomen.
Behavior:
Annoyance Factor: Adult female face flies feed on secretions from the eyes, nostrils, and mouths of livestock. This not only irritates the animals but also makes them susceptible to diseases like pinkeye and other eye infections.
Reproduction: Like horn flies, face flies lay their eggs in fresh, undisturbed cattle manure. Their life cycle takes about two weeks.
Challenges in Control:
The pupal cases of face flies are extremely hard, making it difficult for fly predators to penetrate and parasitize them effectively. Despite this, some customers have reported success with Fly Predators in reducing face fly populations.
Effective Strategies for Horn & Face Fly Control
- Regularly disrupt manure in pastures to prevent these flies from laying eggs harrowing is an effective method.
- Release Fly Predators in areas where cattle manure is concentrated. While they have limited effectiveness on face flies, they are helpful against horn flies.
- Combine strategies like sanitation, biological controls, and targeted pesticide use to manage fly populations effectively.
- Be aware of pesticide resistance and consider non-chemical options for long-term control.
- Keep an eye on your animals for signs of agitation or irritation from fly bites.
- Address eye infections and other issues caused by face flies promptly to prevent complications.
- If you keep horses, sheep, or other livestock near cattle, take additional measures to reduce flies in shared areas.
Horn and face flies may seem small, but their impact on livestock health and productivity can be significant. By understanding their behavior and breeding habits, you can implement effective control measures to reduce their populations and protect your animals.
For the best results, focus on managing manure, releasing fly predators near breeding sites, and adopting an integrated approach to pest control. If you’re struggling with fly infestations, consulting a pest control expert can help you tailor a plan specific to your property and livestock.
Why Choose Spalding Labs for Fly Control?
Spalding Labs offers proven, science-backed solutions like Fly Predators to control house flies naturally and effectively. With over 45 years of experience, we’re trusted by horse and livestock owners across the country to keep fly populations in check.
Ready to stop horn and face flies before they start?
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Reach out with questions or for a free consultation: 1-888-880-1579
