By Alex Kissinger
Warm weather brings long day, sweat, and a longing for winter time (the last one may just be me), but the heat is not the only thing livestock producers need to consider. External parasites can greatly impact the health of livestock species if no preventative measures are taken. These issues can range from mild aggravation to even death in more serious cases. Generally speaking, producers are more concerned with the loss of gain and milk production caused by these pests.
Flies
There are a number of different species of flies that present challenges for livestock. Common species you will find in central North Carolina include horn flies, face flies, and horse flies. Cattle and other species can get stressed out from excessive fly pressure and this can result in poor performance.
Horn Flies
Horn flies are small flies that are most commonly found along the sides and back of cattle.
Face Flies
Face flies are a little larger than a house fly and congregate around the nostrils and eyes.
Ticks
North Carolina has seen reports of the Asian Longhorned Tick, which pose serious health risks to cattle. These ticks carry Theileria, which can cause anemia and death in some cases. First spotted in N.C. in 2010, these non-native pests have moved across the country to Kansas in 2025. Ticks can also carry Anaplasmosis, which infects red blood cells and causes anemia in livestock species.
Treatment and Prevention
There are multiple options and practices to manage issues that are caused by flies and ticks. Timing plays a key role in any treatments, but they can all be effective if used correctly. Maintaining pastures so that forage does not get too tall and removing vegetation that are attractive to ticks is a great way to reduce the risk of ticks coming in contact with your animals.
Traps can be used in barns, stalls, or areas where animals congregate to manage local populations of flies. The reuseable outdoor ones work great, but it’s important to check these as they fill up.
Insecticides can also be applied through different methods depending on your management system. Pour/rub-on products, minerals, and tags containing insecticides are all options to treat cattle and they can all be effective if done correctly.
Source : ncsu.edu