Managing Lice Infestations on Beef Cattle
Controlling horn fly populations on your operation is imperative to maintaining healthy and productive cattle. However, horn flies are just one of the many insects affecting beef cattle. Lice infestations can lead to reduced weight gain, lower milk production, and increased discomfort and stress for your cattle during the winter months.
Types of Lice Affecting Beef Cattle
- Biting Louse(Bovicola Damalinia bovis)
- Sucking Lice:
o The Short-nose Cattle Louse (Haematopinus eurysternus)
o The Long-nose Cattle Louse (Linognathus vituli)
o The Little Blue Cattle Louse (Solenopotes capillatus)
o The Cattle Tail Louse (Haematopinus quadripertusus)
Common Lice Infestation Sites on Beef Cattle
Lice infestations on livestock can vary depending on the type of animal and the specific lice species involved. However, there are common sites on cattle where lice are more likely to be found due to warmth, moisture, and suitable hiding places such as the neck and shoulders, back and tailhead, around the head and ears as well as the legs and underbelly.
General Lice Behavior
- Lice are host-specific
- Lice remain on the cattle
- Lice typically spread through direct contact between cattle
- Lice populations build in the winter and fall in the warmer months
Dangers of Lice
- Discomfort and irritation
- Skin damage and infections
- Anemia
- Impact on reproductive performance
- Spread of diseases
- Economic impact
Signs of Lice Infestations
- Agitated livestock including signs of restlessness and discomfort
- Loss of hair or sores due to scratching
- A greasy appearance
- Weight loss or reduced growth rates
Integrated Pest Management for Lice
Integrated Pest Management for lice relies on strategic biosecurity practices to help eliminate lice on incoming cattle and following appropriate insecticidal treatments and guidelines. Lice only survive on the cattle and eradication of the lice population in your herd is possible.
Treat all incoming animals (or animals returning from stocks shows, breeding leases, etc.) with an appropriate insecticide pour-on or spray and follow the retreatment guidelines. If using a spray application, thoroughly wet the entire animal focusing on the crevices and areas that could serve as refuge. Most insecticide treatments require a second treatment 10 days after to target lice that have hatched since the initial treatment was applied. When treating the animals, also consider applying an insecticide treatment to any frequented loafing areas such as any housing or shelter.
A good rule of thumb is to treat in late fall before lice populations begin to build and again in early spring. If continually mixing in new animals, more frequent treatments maybe necessary if the incoming cattle are not left in quarantine until they have been fully treated for lice. Quarantine areas should not share fence lines with the home cattle. Lice unfortunately do not respect fence lines and lousy cattle could infect clean cattle through fence line contact.
Keeping your livestock protected from pests like lice is essential to running a healthy, productive, and profitable operation. Starbar ® Products offers a range of lice control solutions tailored to meet your specific needs.
Starbar ® Pour-On Product Solutions
Cattle Armor ™ 1% Synergized Pour On
To tackle lice effectively, Starbar ® products offer proven solutions. Cattle Armor ™ 1% Synergized Pour-On is a dynamic pour-on insecticide that sets itself apart from competitors thanks to its oil-based formula. The oil-based formulation helps it stay on longer and penetrate through the hair coat better than water-based product.
Cattle Armor ™ 1% Synergized Pour-On is a versatile solution for controlling lice on cows. This
product can be applied directly to the animal’s back as a pour-on, or it can be used in a spray mist or back rubber application, making it ideal for various settings.
- Broad-Spectrum Control: Cattle Armor ™ 1% Synergized Pour-On is formulated to tackle both
flies and lice, ensuring that your cattle are protected from both common pests in one
application. - Easy Application:The flexibility of application methods allows you to choose the best
approach for your specific operation, whether you prefer direct application or using a back
rubber. - Synergized Formula: The synergized formulation enhances the product’s effectiveness,
ensuring longer-lasting protection.
Inhibidor ™ Insecticidal Pour-On
If you are looking for a product that delivers multi-faceted control, Inhibidor ™ Insecticidal Pour-On is an excellent choice. Featuring multiple active ingredients, this pour-on provides defense against a variety of pests.
By controlling lice, Inhibidor ™ Insecticidal Pour-On helps ensure the comfort of your beef cattle, leading to more efficient production and protecting your bottom line. While other products may require retreatment by day 10, Inhibidor ™ Insecticidal Pour-On’s insect growth regulator effects ensure that one treatment for your beef cattle is all you need.
- Multi-Pest Control:Inhibidor ™ Insecticidal Pour-On is effective against chewing and sucking
lice, horn flies, ticks, horse flies, and deer flies. This makes it an all-in-one solution for
managing the most common and troublesome pests. - Long-Lasting Protection: Its potent formula includes a larvicide, diflubenzuron, removing the
need for a follow-up treatment, allowing for one treatment for season-long control of lice.
Inhibidor ™ Insecticidal Pour-On offers prolonged protection, reducing the frequency of
reapplications and ensuring your cattle are consistently protected. - Ease of Use: Inhibidor ™ Insecticidal Pour-On can be applied as a pour-on or as a spray
depending on the target pest.
Prolate/Lintox HD ™ Insecticidal Spray & Backrubber for Livestock
For those who need a rotational option to pyrethroid/permethrin products, Prolate/Lintox HD ™ Insecticidal Spray & Backrubber is designed to provide exceptional control over horn flies and lice in livestock.
Prolate/Lintox-HD ™ insecticide is a liquid product for livestock that when diluted and used as a spray or in a Backrubber, helps provide effective treatment of horn flies, lice, mange mites and ticks on cattle.
- High-Performance Formula:Prolate/Lintox HD ™ Insecticidal Spray & Backrubber is a reliable solution for controlling horn flies and lice, ensuring your cattle remain free from these pests.
- Versatile Application:Whether you’re applying it as a coarse spray or with a back rubber, this
product delivers effective results. - Comprehensive Coverage:The formula ensures that every application provides your cattle
maximum protection.
Effective fly control is essential for maintaining the health and productivity of your cattle. With the range of Starbar ® topical products, including Cattle Armor ™ 1% Synergized Pour-On, Inhibidor ™ Insecticidal Pour-On, and Prolate/Lintox HD ™ Insecticidal Spray & Backrubber, you can confidently tackle the challenges posed by flies and lice. These products offer reliable, easy-to-use solutions that can be adapted to your specific needs, helping you keep your cattle comfortable and healthy throughout the year.
