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QualityHerd
Pest Management

Fly Control
for Cattle

Flies cost the US cattle industry $1 billion annually. Horn flies reduce weight gains by 10-15% in calves. This guide covers everything you need to know to control flies on your operation.

$1 Billion

Annual losses from horn flies in the US

200+

Horn flies per animal = economic threshold

10-15%

Weight gain reduction from horn fly pressure

Your Fly Control Toolkit

Everything you need to control flies on your cattle.

Horn Fly Control

Identification, prevention, and treatment for the most economically damaging fly species.

Fly Control Calculator

Determine your treatment threshold and calculate the economic impact of fly pressure on your herd.

Seasonal Calendar

Month-by-month fly control program to keep fly populations below economic threshold year-round.

Know Your Flies

Horn Flies

  • Most economically damaging
  • Blood feeders — 10-40 meals/day per fly
  • Breed in fresh cow pats
  • Reduce weight gain 10-15% at 200+ per animal

Face Flies

  • Feed on secretions around eyes and nose
  • Don't bite but cause irritation
  • Transmit pinkeye-causing bacteria
  • Breed in fresh manure

Stable Flies

  • Bite legs and lower body
  • Cause cattle to bunch, stomp, reduce grazing
  • Breed in decaying organic matter
  • Reduce weight gain 0.5-1 lb/day

House Flies

  • Don't bite cattle
  • Transmit disease and cause annoyance
  • Breed in fresh manure
  • Less economically damaging than horn flies

Fly Control Guides

How to Control Flies on Cattle

Complete treatment guide with pour-ons, ear tags, feed-through products, and natural solutions.

Read Guide

Cattle Fly Control: Prevention and Treatment

Comprehensive guide covering all fly species, breeding sites, and integrated pest management.

Read Guide

Cattle Water Requirements

Ensure adequate water supply — dehydration compounds fly-related stress.

Read Guide

Track fly control treatments automatically

Log treatments, monitor effectiveness, and build year-over-year records. Free for up to 10 herd members.