External parasites, also known as ectoparasites, live on and feed off their host animal and can cause an animal stress, production losses, irritation and injury. Common external parasites that affect beef cattle in Canada include lice, ticks and flies. Different species of parasites can cause livestock problems during different seasons.
Understanding external parasites and monitoring their activity will help producers implement effective management and control strategies that mitigate the impact of external parasites on animal health, welfare, productivity and profitability.
Parasites, both internal and external, can cause production losses and discomfort to livestock, and are an economic and welfare concern.
External parasites can lead to stress, reduced weight gain, decreased milk production and other production losses, irritation and injury in their host animal. Parasites can also alter grazing and feeding behaviour in beef cattle. Some parasites transmit cattle diseases, such as bluetongue, pinkeye and bovine anaplasmosis, from one animal to the next. Parasites can also be vectors of human diseases, and can carry problematic illnesses such as Lyme disease, West Nile disease and equine encephalitis.
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