Are Flies Bad For Cows?

Are flies bad for cows? They’re not actually bad, but they can make life miserable for cattle. A large population of flies in a herd can lead to reduced milk production by up to 30%. In addition, some types of flies can cause disease to cattle, including mastitis. One such disease is pinkeye, which is caused by the bacterium Moraxella bovis. The bacteria are carried by dust particles or flies’ legs and latch on to the cornea of the eye.

Horn flies are one of the most common cattle pests. These tiny flies cluster around the base of a cow’s horn, and during hot weather, they can move onto the cow’s belly. Because they feed on blood, they can cause discomfort to the cow and interfere with feeding, resting, and other activities.

Fortunately, there are many natural fly control methods available. Insect growth regulators are an excellent choice, as they break the life cycle of flies. These products should be sprayed on your herd every two or three weeks during fly season. You should also apply fly repellents on newborn calves as soon as possible.

Flies are attracted to manure from cattle, and they lay their eggs in it. Flies can be very troublesome, as they are extremely annoying. Fortunately, they are not harmful to humans. Some species of flies, such as the Yellow dung-fly, are beneficial to your herd.

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