Purdue University Agricultural Extension Service Department of Entomology
Mimeo E-12
January, 1950
Rev. February 1958 (2M)
How to Control Flies in Barns and upon Cattle
There are several different kinds or species of flies that live around farm buildings or attack cattle. Most of those found in barns and buildings are house flies, although blow flies are sometimes rather common. Those flies that feed on the animals themselves are bloodsucking flies. The most prevalent of these is the little horn fly. In addition, there is the stable fly, sometimes called a "biting house fly", and several kinds of horse flies.
Fly Control on Beef Cattle
Sprays - The preferred residual sprays for horn fly control on beef cattle are methoxychlor and toxaphene. Both are available as 50 percent wettable powders and the dilution for either is 8 pounds in 100 gallons of water or 0.4 pounds in 5 gallons. Meth-oxychlor and toxaphene are also available as emulsifiable concentrates. The 25 percent methoxychlor concentrate is used at the rate of 2 gallons in 100 gallons of water or 4/5 pint in 5 gallons. A 60 percent toxaphene concentrate is diluted at the rate of 6 pints in 100 gallons or 10 tablespoonfuls in 5 gallons. Residual sprays should be applied to the cattle with a sprayer large enough to wet the animals thoroughly. Repeat as needed, but do not use toxaphene within 30 days of slaughter. Malathion is also approved for use directly upon beef cattle and non-milking animals. The dilution is 1 pound of 25 percent wettable powder or 5/6 pint of 57 percent concentrate in each 5 gallons. Do not use malathion on calves less than 30 days old. Malathion also kills house flies and stable flies.
Dusts - Either methoxychlor or toxaphene, in the form of a 50 percent wettable powder, can be used as a dry dust rubbed into the hair at the rate of one heaping tablespoonful per animal. Repeat as needed. A 4 percent malathion dust is likewise approved.
Back Rubbers - Cattle will treat themselves if a back rubber is provided. A common type is illustrated below. The chain should be wrapped with 3 or 4 thicknesses of burlap sacks and kept saturated with a 5 percent solution of DDT or toxaphene in oil. To obtain this solution simply dilute a 25 percent DDT concentrate 1 to 4 with fuel oil or a to percent toxaphene concentrate 1 to 11 with fuel oil. Substitue 5 percent methoxychlor within 30 days of slaughter. Note that DDT is approved for use on a back rubber but not as a spray.