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Combined Tactics A feedlot operator may need more than one tactic to control flies around a feedlot. Stable flies may need a fly swatter or a repellent, while house flies may require a residual spray in fly roosting areas. Of course, one possibility is to do nothing at all. But the usual approach is to combine two or more tactics. Rabon and IGR are Approved for Feed Additives One of the methods for long season control is using a feed additive. Rabon (commonly called ROL) is used mainly in confinement animals. IGR is mainly a pasture additive, but has a potential for fly control for confinement operations. (For more information on these feed additives, see a related story on page 44.) Starting time is critical. Caution: Since the mode of action is to kill the larvae or control the development of the fly, Rabon or IGR must be introduced early enough before the fly season begins. With good manure management and clean up of the breeding areas (manure piles, hospital and horse pens) the introduction may be only a month before the fly season starts. For stable fly control, this would need to be in May for the central plains since the stable fly season is late May, June and July. The house fly season starts in late summer in August. Feedlots should consider a full season of control for stable flies and house flies with a feed additive. Sanitation and manure management are part of the control program. Caution: Fly control with Rabon or IGR may not give complete control, therefore additional methods may be needed. Get Adequate Intake The dose of the product is critical for control. Failures of the control program may be due to the lack of the proper dose or not starting early enough. In the case of stable fly control, stable flies may migrate on the wind from feedlot to feedlot, so control may not be successful if the flies come from another location. ROL & IGR with Parasitic Wasps Yes, Rabon and IGR can be used with parasitic wasps. The Rabon kills the larvae of the fly and does not kill the wasps. IGR is not a larvacide but works on the development of the fly and stops the reproduction. The wasps may be the natural predators or the added wasps that are introduced for control. Use a Fly Swatter like Vapona Over spraying livestock with a mist sprayer and the use of vapona insecticide is like using a fly swatter. In heavy outbreaks of stable flies, this action may be needed. The synthetic pyrethrums insecticides give fast knock-down of flies and some residual control. Premise Sprays for Feedlots and Barns Sprays and baits are the main tools for fly control. With or without feed additives, sprays and baits will still be used. Use sprays where flies roost, like weeds and shady areas of buildings. Over spraying manure is a last resort. If parasitic wasps are part of the control method, the manure should not be sprayed. |
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