Keeping your livestock healthy and comfortable is a year-round commitment, and effective fly and lice control is a crucial part of that care. Flies and lice can cause a range of issues, from irritation and stress to reduced productivity, blood loss, and even the transmission of disease. At Woonona Petfoods, we stock a range of proven products to help you manage external parasites safely and effectively. Here’s everything you need to know about protecting your livestock from flies and lice.
Why Fly & Lice Control Matters
Flies and lice are more than just a nuisance. For cattle, sheep, goats, pigs, and poultry, infestations can lead to restlessness, reduced feeding, poor weight gain, anaemia, and skin damage. Constant irritation may also lower immune responses and increase the risk of secondary infections. Lice are particularly problematic in winter, while fly numbers peak during warmer months, so year-round management is essential.
Signs of Infestation
Be alert to the early signs of parasite problems in your animals. These can include:
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Excessive scratching, rubbing, or biting
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Patchy hair loss or scabs
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Restlessness or reduced feeding
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Flies congregating on wounds or around eyes
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Visible lice or eggs in the coat
Early detection and treatment can prevent minor irritations from escalating into serious health concerns.
Best Practices for Prevention
A proactive approach is the best way to keep your animals parasite-free. Good hygiene and paddock management will go a long way in minimising fly and lice populations:
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Regularly remove manure and waste to reduce breeding grounds for flies
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Keep bedding clean and dry in animal enclosures
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Avoid overcrowding to reduce stress and parasite spread
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Rotate pastures to disrupt the parasite life cycle
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Quarantine new or returning livestock before introducing them to the main group
Top Products for Fly Control
At Woonona Petfoods, we offer a variety of fly control solutions suitable for different species and needs. These include sprays, pour-ons, and insecticidal tags to help break the fly life cycle and protect your animals from discomfort.
Products like Coopex Residual Insecticide are a popular and effective choice for fly control around sheds, stables, and animal housing. This powerful, water-soluble powder contains Permethrin and delivers long-lasting residual activity for up to four months. It’s safe for use in livestock environments and highly effective at eliminating a wide range of insect pests, including flies, fleas, mites, ants, and cockroaches, making it ideal for use in chicken coops and barns.
For on-animal protection, Cylence Ultra Insecticide Cattle Ear Tags provide outstanding control of buffalo fly populations, including strains resistant to organophosphates. These dual-action tags contain Betacyfluthrin and Piperonyl Butoxide to deliver up to four months of continuous protection. Suitable for both beef and dairy cattle, including lactating cows, Cylence Ultra reduces fly-related stress and irritation, promoting better health, weight gain, and productivity. These tags are particularly valuable as part of a seasonal fly management program for larger herds.
For versatile fly and insect control across multiple species, Troy Repel-X and Vetsense Flygon Gold are two trusted, Australian-made solutions. Troy Repel-X is a fast-acting, non-aerosol spray that provides up to 12 hours of repellency against flies and up to 4 hours of protection from mosquitoes and other biting insects. Suitable for use on horses, dogs, cattle, and pigs, it can also be sprayed around animal housing to help prevent infestations and reduce insect-related stress.
Vetsense Flygon Gold offers long-lasting insecticidal and repellent action using a combination of permethrin and natural citronella oil. This effective spray controls a broad range of pests, including house flies, bush flies, bot flies, and midges, and is suitable for horses, dogs, pigs, and cattle. It also aids in preventing Queensland Itch in horses, making it a great year-round choice for equine fly management.
Best Products for Lice Control
Lice outbreaks can be particularly troublesome during the cooler months when animals grow thicker coats and spend more time in close quarters. Prompt treatment with effective lice control products can help provide fast knockdown and ongoing protection for your livestock.
For reliable, broad-spectrum protection, Ausmectin Cattle Pour-On is an excellent choice. This Ivermectin-based cattle drench is suitable for both beef and dairy cattle and works to control internal and external parasites, including gastrointestinal roundworm, lungworm, mange mite, cattle tick, and lice.
Another effective option is Avomec Plus Pour-On, a rainfast formulation that makes application simple and stress-free. It not only controls internal parasites and lice but also targets all three stages of liver fluke, early immature, immature, and adult, making it ideal for farms where fluke is a known issue. It also assists in controlling cattle ticks and buffalo flies, helping improve overall herd health.
For long-lasting protection, Cydectin Pour-On for Cattle & Red Deer is a premium solution. Using moxidectin as its active ingredient, Cydectin provides persistent activity against both internal and external parasites. Its extended protection helps reduce reinfestation risk and supports improved productivity by keeping livestock healthier for longer.
Best Products for Poultry
Dusting powders can be applied directly to birds and nesting areas, offering a simple and effective way to manage mites and lice. This method is particularly useful for chickens, ducks, and other poultry, helping to maintain a healthy, parasite-free flock.
Pestene Powder is a trusted go-to for many backyard poultry owners. It’s an easy-to-use insecticide powder that targets mites, lice, and fleas across a range of animals. Pestene provides fast relief and can be applied directly to feathers and bedding for full coverage.
David Grays Poultry Dust is another excellent option, especially for coops prone to infestations. Safe for use with egg-laying poultry, it controls mites, lice, fleas, ticks, and flies. Simply dust between the feathers of your birds and around the coop to keep parasites under control and protect your flock's health.
Natural and Chemical-Free Alternatives
For those seeking a more holistic or organic approach, we stock a variety of natural alternatives. These options are ideal for organic farms, sensitive animals, or anyone aiming to reduce chemical use around their livestock or poultry.
Diatomaceous Earth is a versatile, food-grade powder made from fossilised algae (diatoms). Rich in silica, it works as a natural pest control by dehydrating insects on contact. Safe to use around pets, poultry, and livestock, it can be applied to bedding, chicken coops, or directly onto animals to target mites, lice, fleas, and other crawling pests, without the use of harsh chemicals.
Another excellent natural product is Natural Chicken Health Super Mash, a 100% natural supplement that supports overall poultry wellbeing. This mash contains antiparasitic properties to help prevent intestinal worms and control lice, mites, ticks, and fleas, while also delivering essential nutrients to keep your chickens healthy, energised, and resilient.
When to Treat
Timing is crucial in external parasite control. Regular checks and preventative treatments are key, especially:
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In spring and summer for flies
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In autumn and winter for lice
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After shearing, transporting, or introducing new stock
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When conditions are wet, warm, or crowded
Following product instructions and treating all animals in a group at the same time ensures the best results and helps prevent reinfestation.
Supporting Animal Health During Treatment
Parasite stress can impact your animal’s immune system and condition. Supporting overall health with quality nutrition, mineral supplements, and clean water will help them recover faster and stay resilient. Woonona Petfoods offers a wide range of livestock feeds, vitamin blends, and condition boosters to complement your fly and lice control routine.
Effective fly and lice control is a vital part of responsible livestock care. With the right mix of preventative management and trusted products, you can protect your animals from discomfort and ensure they stay happy, healthy, and productive all year round. Shop our full range of parasite control solutions at Woonona Petfoods today.
