What is blowfly strike?
Blowfly is the main external parasite traditionally affecting sheep in the late spring and summer months. Changing weather patterns have resulted in an increasingly unpredictable and lengthening season. Blowflies are attracted to lay their eggs on areas of soiling or damage (wounds) on the animal, or on carcasses. Therefore, the key to blowfly control is to minimise breeding opportunities by:
- Managing deadstock: remove deadstock as quickly as possible, and keep deadstock covered while waiting for collection.
- Managing flock health: minimise faecal soiling through good worm control and fleece management, and through treating wounds, including foot infections.
- Using a preventative treatment early in the season: prevent established blowfly strike in the flock to protect the sheep and to prevent those first waves of flies from breeding. Doing this will massively reduce blowfly numbers, and strike risk, later in the season.
Blowfly Control Webinar
For information on the correct use and application of blowfly products in the Elanco range, watch our latest blowfly control webinar with Elanco Technical Vet and sheep farmer Wesley Power.
CLiK Family
The CLiK™ brands are the only IGRs containing FleeceBind™ technology which provides full fleece protection*. It helps spread the formulation from tip to base of the fleece and binds it strongly in place, sticking it to the wool.
The table below provides some suggested times for treatment and should be used as guidance only as individual farm needs will vary.
How to apply CLiK EXTRA™, CLiK™ or CLiKZiN™
Use either a CLiK™ or CLiKZiN™ applicator gun and apply the product using the 4-stroke method (see below), taking care to apply down the midline of the back and overlapping each stroke to allow the Fleecebind™ formulation to spread evenly over the fleece and bind to give full fleece protection. This ensures an accurate spread of the product. Until the product has bound into the fleece, care must be taken to prevent animals from rubbing and removing the product, as this will almost certainly reduce the duration of protection.
Always calibrate your applicator gun before use. Apply the total required dose one quarter at a time from:
1. mid-shoulder to middle of back
2. middle of back to top of tail
3. one side of tail to crutch
4. other side of tail to crutch
Best results will be achieved by holding the gun approximately 45cm from the sheep during application.
What is Vector™
Vector is a broad spectrum insecticide for the treatment and control of ectoparasites.
- 6-8 weeks blowfly prevention.
- Treatment of individual sheep that have been struck.
- Up to 10 weeks tick control.
- Kills biting lice.
- Treats and controls headflies.
How to apply Vector™
It is important to use the correct applicator and the correct nozzle for the ectoparasite you are treating and always calibrate before use. The applicator includes:
- fan spray nozzle for blowfly prevention
- t-bar nozzle for treatment of blowfly strike and for treating headflies
- pin-strip (straight) nozzle for lice and ticks – part the fleece and apply to the skin
Related Links
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