Horn flies, stable flies, house flies or horse flies must be controlled NOW, writes Mark Z. Johnson. It’s not rocket science as flies multiply rapidly and dead ones don’t reproduce. He reviews fly species and how to get after them before they take over.
Source: BEEF, April 22, 2026. Link. The beef cattle industry loses millions of dollars each year due to external parasites. Blood loss, irritation and annoyance lead to reduced levels of performance due to flies.
Wherever two or more are gathered, thousands of flies will soon arrive . . . start fly control yesterday!”
INSIGHTS: Fly control reminders in newsletters or social media will help producers keep from delaying fly prevention and reduce pinkeye risks. It is a good time to vaccinate for pinkeye now as well.
Related: Avoid confusion about pinkeye in cattle, AHD Archives, June 17, 2025. Link. As flies buzz from cow to cow, they land on the mucus membrane and tear duct of the eye, which allows for direct transmission of <pinkeye> bacteria. Calves bunching together can also directly transfer bacteria to each other.
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