Cattle, Insecticide Ear Tag Tape for Face Fly and Horn Fly Control, 1981

Abstract

Abstract Twenty-five mixed beef breed cows, 5 heifers and eight 300-400 lb calves were treated for flies by attaching a “butterfly” shaped duct tape containing an ampule of 1 g technical Ectiban (permethrin) around the shank of the animal’s identification ear tag. One tape/head was attached to the ear tag of each animal on Jul 23. After attachment the ampule was broken to release the permethrin. Twelve calves under 300 lb within this herd were not treated. These cattle had been on a 1% CO2Ral dust bag treatment prior to the Ectiban tape treatment and had no horn flies when the ear tag tapes were applied. A similar herd of beef cattle within the area was used as an untreated check for evaluating the effectiveness of the tapes. Fly counts were made on the treatment date prior to treatment and at regular post-treatment intervals. Mean pre-treatment face fly counts were 25/cow and 36/calf on the treated cattle and 28 face flies/cow and 42 flies/calf on the untreated cattle. Horn fly numbers on the untreated cattle averaged 141/head during the test period.