Best Fly Spray for Cattle – Reviews & Buyer Guide

Finding best fly spray for cattle? Here is a complete guide. Does it hurt to see your cattle battling with the teasing flies? The population of these pesky flies works intensely to torment the naive cattle. Flies get back on the field to harass the herd during the warmer months. Higher temperature calls for a never-ending battle with the flesh-eating flies.

Flies start breeding in the early spring so a fly control plan must be put in place by then. To completely get rid of these teasing flies is next to impossible but their number can be reduced to an acceptable margin.

There are several ways to kill or repel flies, one such is using the best fly control spray in the market.

Best Fly Control Spray for Cattle

This guide will help you select the best cattle to fly control spray in the market. For optimal fly control, we have narrowed down the following products to do the job based on user reviews

• Best Overall: JustiFLY Champion USA Feedthrough Cattle Fly Control

• Dust Insecticide: Y-Tex PYthon Livestock Insecticide Dust

• Highly concentrated solution-driven formulation: Permethrin 1% Pour-On Kills Lice, Horn Flies, Face Flies on beef cattle Gallon by Martin’s

1. JustiFLY Champion USA Feedthrough Cattle Fly Control

Champion Animal Health has added another valuable item in their arsenal for effective cattle fly control. Champion Animal Health is the pioneer in manufacturing Diflubenzuron-based fly control products. Champion Animal Health products are renowned to have treated 50 million heads over the course of 15 years.

360-gram JustiFLY is a feed-through fly control containing 3% Diflubenzuron. Diflubenzuron works efficiently in controlling insects and pesticides.

This insect growth regulator (IGR) larvicide targets the insect at the larval stage of life. JustiFLY actively fights against horn flies, stable fly, face fly, and houseflies.

EDA approved larvicide in the manure of pasture and confinement cattle, beef and dairy cows, lactating cows, and calves.

How does it work?

JustiFLY is given to the cattle in a mixture with feed or mineral supplements. The parasite killing Diflubenzuron paves its way through the digestive tract into the feces in enough concentration to kill the fly larvae. It pulls the strings by inhibiting the growth of fly larvae in the manure of treated animals.

How to use it?

Add the mixture into the feed or mineral supplement as per directed on the label. Mix 1 scoop or pre-measured add-pack into 50 lbs of mineral. One feeder is sufficient to treat 15-20 head of cattle. 12 lbs bag handles 175 animals per month.

When to use?

JustiFLY fly control treatment is recommended at the start of the fly season in early spring till the end of the fly season in fall.

Manufacturer: Champion Animal Health

Pros

• Non-toxic
• Free of chemicals
• No fly resistance
• Reduced stress of animal handling

Cons

Might not have the desired result if not used as per the directions.

2. Chemtech 048-0518010 698571 Prozap Insectrin Cs On-Animal Fly Control, 16 oz

Chemtech was successful in providing relief to livestock farmers with a revolutionary addition of Prozap Insectrin Cs.

Ready to use insectrin is an oil-based pesticide to control the population of flies, lice, sheep keds, mosquitoes, and ticks.

This USA-Made formulation aids in treating beef cattle, dairy cattle, horses, sheep, swine, turkey, chickens, and dogs. Approved for use on lactating cows.

Prozap Insectrin Cs ensures application in a variety of ways as a pour-on, spray, wipe-on, or as a premise spray.

Formulation

• 7.40% of Permethrin
• 7.40% of Piperonyl Butoxide
• 85.20% of other ingredients

This composition works by killing all the undesired pests.

Dosage

Following are the dosage recommendations

• For lactating/non-lactating dairy and beef cattle and calves: Use 2ml per 100 lbs of body weight or apply up to 20ml for one animal spray.
• Pour-on: Pour a required dose along the backline and down the face.
• Spray: Apply undiluted mist spray in the required amount to neck, face, back, legs and ears.
• Back Rubber: Dilution is needed for back rubber devices. Stir 64ml or 2.1 oz of mixture per gallon of mineral oil. Higher efficacy when used daily.

How to use it?

Repeat treatment once every two weeks for cattle and sheep. Two treatments at a 14-days interval are suggested to kill an excessive lice population.

Prozap Insectrin Cs doesn’t help much in killing cattle curbs.

Limitations

• The application must be as per the direction on the label.
• This highly concentrated formulation must be used with an accurate measuring container.
• Do not mix the pesticide with food and feedstocks.
• This formulation is not meant to be used as a residential misting system.
• Don’t let the mixture enter any drain.
• Manufacturer: Chemtech

Pros

• Kill numerous species of flies
• USA-Made concentrated formulation
• Works well than a powdered

Cons

• Must be used in an integrated pest management system

3. Durvet Permethrin 10%, 8oz

Durvet continuously strives to provide its user efficient, productive, and livestock friendly products. One such addition is Permethrin 10% in Durvet’s squad.

Durvet’s Permethrin 10% is a long-term reliable livestock insecticide spray that has a wide spectrum of activity when it comes to killing parasites.

This formulation is best to be used for cattle, horses, sheep, swine, dogs, poultry, and livestock premises.

Durvet’s Permethrin 10% packs a powerful punch when it comes to killing horn flies, house flies, stable flies, horseflies, black flies, mosquitoes, sheep keds, fleas, mites, lice, and ticks.

Ingredients

• 10% Permethrin
• 90% of other ingredients

The chemical class of active ingredient is synthetic pyrethroids.

Recommended Application

Following dosages are suggested for beef and dairy cattle

• Spraying: spray animal thoroughly from top to bottom. For acute infestations, dilute 1.28 oz per gallon of water which equals 1 part concentrate to 99 parts water(0.10% of the active ingredient)

For normal infestations dilute 0.64 per gallon of water which equals 1 part concentrate to 199 parts water (0.05% of the active ingredient).

• Spot Spray: Dilution of 2oz per gallon(0.16% of the active ingredient) of water is required for spot treatment. Use around 1/2 oz per ear or 1-4 oz on the face or 12-16 oz along the backline.
• Backrubber: Keep the back rubbing devices charged. Mix 8 oz in 5 gal oil (0.125% of the active ingredient).

Safety Precautions

• Hazardous to human beings, cats, and aquatic invertebrates.
• Avoid pouring and storing near heat and open flame.
• Don’t contaminate water with the mixture.
• Manufacturer: Durvet

Pros

• Effective in killing a variety of parasites
• Highly concentrated solution-driven formulation

Cons

• Risk of developing resistance
• Disgusting smell
• Involves repetitive treatments
• Hair coat may appear oily

4. Absorbine Bayer 32 oz Quart Permectrin II Barn Horse Mosquito Deer Ticks Lice Flea Spiders Fly Spray

Absorbine has been in the market since 1892 serving users with its unique quality animal care products.

Permectrin II is used in the treatment of cattle, horses, sheep, swine, dog, poultry and premises spray.

Renowned for the broad-spectrum kill of horn flies, house flies, lice, mites, ticks, face flies and stable flies.

Active ingredients of Absorbine’s Permectrin II promise optimum fly control and can be used in cattle ear tags and flea collars, or in spot treatments.

It is fit to apply as back rubber high or low-pressure spray, spot spray by hand, or garden sprayer.

Formulation

• 10% Permethrin
• 90% of other ingredients

Application Instructions

Following dosages are recommended 

• High-Pressure Spray:  Add 1 quart per 200 gallons or 8 oz per 50 gallons. ½ to 1 gallon of spray is sufficient to treat an animal. The second treatment is suggested after 14-21 days interval for maximum lice and mice control. Permethrin concentration in final dilution equals 125 ppm* = mg/L

• Low-pressure spray:  Dilute 8 oz for 3 gallons, 2.5 oz or 75 mL for 1 gallon of ⅔ oz or 20 mL in a quart of water when it comes to slow spraying with hand or garden sprayer. Permethrin concentration in final dilution equals 2083 ppm = mg/L

• Backrubber: Dilution with mineral oil or non-irritating organic oil is required for back rubber oiler. Dilute 1 quart in 20 gallons, 8 oz in 5 gallons 1.6 oz, or 48 mL per 1 gallon. Permethrin concentration in final dilution equals 1250 ppm* = mg/L

• Spot Treatment: For spot application, dilute 2 oz or 60 mL per 1 gallon of mineral or non-irritating organic oil or water. Application of ½ oz per ear,  2-4 oz on the face, and 12-16 oz along the backline are sufficient to treat ear ticks, face flies, and horn flies.

1 oz is equivalent to 2 tablespoons or 30mL.

Caution

Be extremely careful when using this product.

Avoid contact with skin, clothing, and eyes. Go for treatment if inhaled or swallowed or call the helpline 1-800-422-9874 for emergency medical treatment information.

Manufacturer: Absorbine

Pros

• Emulsifiable insecticide spray
• Longer residual activity of 30 days

Cons

• May develop resistance 

Homemade cattle fly spray

If the farmer doesn’t want the cattle to come in contact with harsh unknown chemicals, then homemade fly control spray is the answer. Made from natural and safe ingredients, it works with its full capacity in killing or repelling flies.

Here is the recipe for anyone asking how to make a homemade fly spray for cows?

Recipe

1. Take 4 cups of apple cider vinegar. 
2. 20 drops of essential rosemary oil as it repels flies owing to its strong aroma
3. 20 drops of basil essential oil as basil is a wonderful fly repelling herb plant.
4. 20 drops of peppermint essential oil as peppermint is a major deterrent for flies.
5. Two tablespoons of liquid oil are required be it olive oil, canola oil, or mineral oil.
6. 1 tablespoon of dish soap

Directions

Take a spray bottle and put all the ingredients in it. Mix it well. Apply to the animal as required. This mixture will help to keep the flies at bay owing to its strong smell.

Result 

It gets along well but it is not as effective as the conventional fly sprays available in the market. It does not last long, several applications a day are needed for maximum effectiveness.

It provides temporary solace without getting your animal in contact with harsh chemicals. Use during milking routine is suggested.

What are the best fly control methods for cattle?

Several measures must be taken to control flies. Result-oriented measures will reduce the number of flies significantly.

Remove waste

A decline in population is observed once the waste, dump, and debris is removed from the ground. Regular removal of fly-breeding material is required to break the life cycle of a fly which on average lasts between 10 to 21 days.

Ear tags

The fight against flies has become a bit easier with ear tags or fly tags. Once harmlessly hung in the cattle’s ear, ear tags provide optimum fly control for 3 to 4 months. The chemicals on the tags may vary some not very good for the lactating cows. Check before buying. Wear on both ears and also on calves.

Backrubbers and Dustbags

Another weapon to help in this annual battle is dustbags. Dustbags hover across the gates and doorways to combat flies. Hang the bag low for the protection of calves.

Cattle rub themselves against objects or surfaces when harassed by the pests. Those surfaces and objects must be soaked with insecticide to repel flies.

Insect Growth Regulator

Feed-through insecticides help get rid of troublesome flies and manure-lying pests. These feed-through pesticides work by killing the pest at the larval stage of life. Insect growth regulators are added to the manure to stop the fly growth at the breeding stage.

Conclusion

Fly control during warmer temperature is a grief every livestock farmer is burdened with. Though daunting, fly control is possible with the top-notch fly control spray in combination with other pest control practices. The above-mentioned fly control sprays lend a helping hand in combating flies. A cattle farmer can opt for a cheaper homemade fly control spray to repel pests.