A Guide to Fly Control for Cattle

March 18, 2025

Warm weather and sunshine are welcome signs of spring after a cold, dreary winter. The one thing everyone can agree that isn’t welcome—flies. Whether you are involved in production agriculture or not, flies are a nuisance nobody wants around. However, when you are in the cattle business, flies cost the industry billions of dollars annually. 

Fly control for cattle is an investment in your herd. Horn flies cost beef producers more than $1 billion annually, and face flies can contribute up to $150 million in yearly losses. House flies are responsible for the transmission of BVD and scours, and they influence BRD. Meanwhile, stable flies are a huge bite hindrance to feedlot cattle, costing gain and overall performance. So, would you rather control just one of these flies or all of them? We decided to try to control all four with our solution. Read on. 

At BioZyme®, makers of VitaFerm® cattle vitamin and mineral supplements, we want to ensure your herd stays healthy, including controlling flies. Herd health starts with good nutrition and management practices. However, before you can keep your herd healthy, you must know what to protect against.  

Let’s explore fly control for cattle from various management protocols, including a nutritional supplement and the impacts flies have if not controlled. 

Effective Fly Control for Cattle   

Effective fly control for cattle requires an integrated pest management (IPM) approach combining chemical, biological and environmental strategies. Let’s take a closer look at each of these strategies to determine how to best combine them into an effective IPM approach. 

Chemical Control   

Chemical fly control methods include insecticides, pour-ons, sprays and feed additives.   

Pour-on Insecticides 

Applied directly to cattle, these products provide residual control of horn flies and lice. Active ingredients include pyrethroids, organophosphates and insect growth regulators (IGRs). It is best to apply these bi-annually – once in the spring and again in the fall – for various species. Application is most effective during the cooler parts of the day. As with any insecticide or product, always read and follow label directions.  

Backrubbers & Dust Bags 

These self-application tools allow cattle to apply insecticides when rubbing against them. They work well in high-traffic areas such as water troughs or mineral feeders. Backrubbers and dust bags are effective resources in the summer when cattle are forced to use them. For example, they are most effective if hung at the sole entrance to a water source—that way cattle must pass under them for fly control. 

Ear Tags 

Insecticide-impregnated ear tags provide fly control for cattle by releasing active ingredients over time. The fly control in the tags lasts approximately 12-15 weeks, depending on the amount of pressure flies put on your herd. To prevent resistance, make sure to rotate tags  between chemical classes each season.  

Feed-Through Insecticides (IGRs) 

IGRs, such as methoprene and diflubenzuron, prevent fly larvae from developing in manure. These products work best in continuous feeding programs.   

We believe in finding solutions for every producer’s challenge. That’s why we have incorporated the feed-through solution ClariFly® Larvicide into our VitaFerm and Sure Champ® supplements. ClariFly is a four-fly larvicide that prevents house flies, stable flies, face flies and horn flies from developing in and emerging from the manure of treated livestock. ClariFly interrupts the fly's lifecycle through the active ingredient Diflubenzuron, which inhibits chitin synthesis. 

Chitin is a major component of the exoskeleton of an insect, and as an insect grows and will molt, it will have to reform their exoskeleton. One component is that they deposit chitin to be able to form that exoskeleton. Since the active ingredient in ClariFly inhibits chitin from properly forming into an exoskeleton, that insect – immature or fully mature, will die 

Foggers & Sprays 

Used for short-term knockdown of adult flies, foggers and sprays provide immediate relief but require frequent reapplication. They require more labor and are more cost-prohibitive than other fly control methods. As always, read and follow label directions with using sprays. 

While chemical control is effective, over-reliance on insecticides can lead to resistance. Rotating active ingredients and integrating other control methods is recommended.   

Biological Control  

Biological fly control involves using natural predators, parasites or competitors to reduce fly populations.  Predators like beetles and birds also contribute to fly reduction. Biological control is most effective when combined with good manure management and minimal insecticide use to avoid harming beneficial organisms.   

Parasitic Wasps  

These tiny wasps lay eggs inside fly pupae, preventing adult fly emergence. Regular releases can significantly suppress stable and house fly populations.   

Dung Beetles 

By breaking down manure, dung beetles eliminate fly breeding grounds. Their presence improves pasture hygiene and reduces fly numbers.   

Birds 

Some birds, like chickens will eat flies and other parasites. However, they are typically only effective near the buildings where they live and roost. 

Environmental & Management Practices   

Sanitation and pasture management are critical in fly control for cattle.  A well-maintained environment is one of the most sustainable methods of fly control, reducing reliance on chemicals and promoting herd health.   

Manure Management 

Regularly removing manure from barns, pens and feeding areas prevents fly breeding. Composting manure at high temperatures kills larvae. Manure removal, especially in confinement and around buildings is especially important for controlling stable and house flies. 

Drainage Improvement 

Eliminating standing water reduces breeding grounds for stable flies and other insects. Many pests, including mosquitoes, breed in standing water, so ensure that your drains work properly. 

Rotational Grazing 

Rotational grazing offers a great alternative to fly control for cattle. Moving cattle between pastures disrupts fly life cycles and reduces larval development. Fresh manure piles, where flies breed, dry up, and fresh flies can't impact the herd if they do hatch and cattle are not in that pasture.  

Confined Fly Control  

Sticky traps, UV light traps, and bait stations help reduce fly populations in confined areas. Increasing airflow in barns and shelters discourages fly activity, as flies prefer still, humid conditions.   

Develop an Integrated Fly Control Plan  

Now that you know the various fly control methods, it is time to develop a fly control plan for your cow-calf enterprise. A successful fly control program combines multiple strategies tailored to the specific needs of a cattle operation. Follow these five steps to develop your fly control plan: 

1. Identify Problem Areas:  

Conduct regular monitoring to determine fly species and population levels. Know the time and lifecycle of each species of fly that lives and thrives in your area and where on the animal and when they are likely to feed.   

2. Choose Appropriate Control Methods:  

Select a combination of chemical, biological, and management techniques based on fly species and environmental conditions. For example, a method that eradicates only house or stable flies is not practical if you have a horn fly challenge. 

3. Rotate Insecticides: 

Prevent resistance by alternating insecticide classes each season. This is especially true for anything that goes directly on the cattle, like an ear tag or pour-on. 

4. Implement Sanitation Measures:  

Keep pens, pastures and feed areas clean to reduce fly breeding sites. 

5. Evaluate Effectiveness:  

Continuously assess control measures and adjust strategies as needed. It’s never too late to add a feed-through IGR mineral even if you have tried other methods and still see flies on your cattle. 

Impact of Flies on Cattle Health & Production   

We previously mentioned that flies cost the beef cattle industry billions yearly. Fly infestations significantly impact cattle health and economic returns. Some key influences include:   

Reduced Weight Gain 

Constant fly irritation leads to decreased grazing and energy diversion from growth. If cattle are constantly battling flies, then they aren’t grazing. And if they aren’t grazing,  they aren’t gaining.  

Lower Milk Production 

Lactating cows experiencing high fly loads produce less milk due to stress and discomfort.   

Disease Transmission 

Flies spread pinkeye, mastitis and bovine leukosis virus.   

Decreased Reproductive Efficiency 

Fly-induced stress can disrupt estrus cycles and reduce conception rates. Keeping breeding intervals tight is vital to your herd's reproductive success.  

Damage to Hides & Meat Quality 

Some fly larvae burrow under the skin, affecting leather quality and meat yield.   

Defining the Fly Nuisances 

Several species of flies cause problems in cattle operations. Each species has a different life cycle and feeding habit, requiring targeted control measures.  Since VitaFerm makes a mineral with ClariFly, targeted at four fly species, let's examine the four most common flies. 

Horn Flies  

  • Smaller, gray, biting flies  
  • Live on the backs and sides of cattle 
  • Take blood meals multiple times a day 
  • Cause irritation, reduced grazing/eating time and lower weight gains 
  • Severe infestation can lead to a loss of up to 50 pounds per animal during a grazing season   

Face Flies  

  • Appear similar to a house fly 
  • Feed on secretions around the eyes and nose of cattle 
  • Known transmitters for bacterium responsible for pinkeye & other eye diseases 
  • Only lays eggs in fresh, undisturbed cattle manure 

Stable Flies  

  • Smaller fly with a distinct checkerboard pattern on the abdomen 
  • Has a painful bite and doesn’t matter if its next blood meal comes from an animal or human 
  • Primarily attacks the legs and lower body, causing stress, reduced feeding and production losses 
  • Breeds in manure, decaying matter and wet bedding, so cleanliness is important to control 

Houseflies  

  • Displays four stripes on the thorax 
  • Lives and eats on human food, animal waste and garbage 
  • Does not bite cattle, but serves as a carrier of various pathogens, contaminating feed & water 
  • Thrive in manure, spilled feed and organic waste 
  • Females breed quickly and efficiently, depositing up to 150 eggs at a time  

Let VitaFerm Help with Fly Control for Cattle 

VitaFerm offers 7 formulas of its vitamin and mineral supplements with ClariFly to help stop horn, face, stable and house flies in their larval stage. VitaFerm is a line of nutritional supplements for beef cattle that maximize energy and forage utilization for successful production. Additionally, the HEAT® technology in some VitaFerm products also contains a combination of essential oils and garlic to support animals when heat and insects are a challenge. 

In addition to the fly control, VitaFerm products contain AO-Biotics® Amaferm®, a prebiotic research-proven to enhance digestibility. Not only will your herd improve volatile fatty acid (VFA) production in the rumen by 16%, getting more nutrients out of their forage, they will increase their overall health. 

Here’s a quick overview of our VitaFerm formulas with ClariFly 

VitaFerm® ONE HEAT® with ClariFly® 

VitaFerm ONE HEAT with ClariFly is a free-choice vitamin and mineral supplement for beef cattle that meets or exceeds nutrient requirements throughout the production cycle. Both ClariFly and HEAT technology promote cattle performance when temperatures are above 70 degrees Fahrenheit or when cattle are grazing fescue.  

VitaFerm® ONE HEAT® CTC 3G with ClariFly® 

VitaFerm ONE HEAT CTC 3G with ClariFly is a free-choice vitamin and mineral supplement that meets or exceeds nutrient requirements throughout the production cycle. It contains ClariFly, CTC and HEAT technology to promote beef cattle performance when temperatures are above 70 degrees Fahrenheit or when cattle are grazing fescue. 

VitaFerm® Concept•Aid® Protein Tub with ClariFly® 

This new product, VitaFerm Concept•Aid Protein Tub with ClariFly, is a premium protein tub with vitamins, minerals and ClariFly® for beef cattle on grass pasture designed to support reproductive success on low protein forage. The first-and-only VitaFerm tub with ClariFly includes 20% natural protein along with organic copper, iodine and zinc for maximum bioavailability, innate immunity and hoof health. High levels of Vitamin E support reproductive tract repair and milk quality. 

VitaFerm® Concept•Aid® 5/S with ClariFly® 

Three VitaFerm Concept•Aid 5/S formulas exist with ClariFly, providing producers the options they need for their management scenarios. All are premium free-choice 5% phosphorus vitamin and mineral supplements with ClariFly for beef cattle designed to support reproductive success. They all include Amaferm and organic copper, iodine and zinc for maximum bioavailability, innate immunity and hoof health. High levels of Vitamin E support reproductive tract repair and milk quality. 

In addition to VitaFerm Concept•Aid 5/S with ClariFly, look for these two other formulas: 

VitaFerm® Conserve® CTC 3G with ClariFly® 

Finally, for those producers looking to control costs, we offer VitaFerm Conserve CTC 3G with ClariFly, this supplement for beef cattle supports herd health and performance with a complete but economical vitamin and mineral package. It includes CTC to control anaplasmosis and ClariFly to stop horn, face, stable and house flies in their larval stage. 

The Final Word 

Fly control for cattle is essential for maintaining herd health, improving productivity and preventing economic losses. Effective management involves identifying fly species, using a combination of chemical and biological control methods and maintaining a clean environment. By implementing an integrated fly control program, producers can safeguard their herds against fly-related stress, diseases and production declines.   

Remember, no matter what method or product you use, we cannot emphasize enough the importance of reading and following the label directions. 

Get your VitaFerm Today 

At BioZyme, we pride ourselves on making products that answer a need. With billions of dollars lost each year to fly damage and stress, we know that fly control for cattle is vital. That’s why we created vitamin and mineral supplements in the VitaFerm line, including ClariFly. 

At BioZyme, we give you options within the VitaFerm line. Not sure what to feed cows when it comes to the VitaFerm line? Check out our Concept•Aid Product Navigator.   

Get your VitaFerm products from an authorized BioZyme dealer today. Our extensive dealer network is here to help you meet mineral needs.     

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