, 

Using this Site External Access Contact Us

Alberta.ca > Agriculture and Rural Development 

● About the Ministry

● Find Staff

● Information

● Decision Making Tools

● Directories

● General Store

● Programs & Services

● Maps & Multimedia

Black Fly Control

Sign up for our 

E-Newsletter Download pdf - 193K

Black Fly Control

http://www1.agric.gov.ab.ca/$department/deptdocs.nsf/all/agdex3321 (1 of 8) [5/13/2010 11:39:36 AM]
Black Fly Control

Life cycle | Human protection | Livestock protection | Larval control | Adult control

Black flies, which number about 100 species in Canada, occur in varying abundance in all parts of the country. Adult females feed on 

blood, causing irritation and discomfort to humans, domestic and wild mammals and birds. Apart from the annoyance and discomfort, 

black flies cause economic losses through reduced beef and milk production, reduced efficiency of agricultural and industrial workers, 

and spread of diseases. In Canada, black flies transmit blood-borne parasites to turkeys, geese, and ducks. Naive cattle (not previously 

exposed) have died following a heavy attack by black flies in Alberta. 

Life Cycle

Black flies have four stages of development: egg, larva (Figure 1), pupa, and adult (Figure 2). The eggs, larvae, and pupae are confined 

to rivers and streams. Once the eggs hatch the larvae drift and attach themselves to rocks and vegetation in the swiftest flowing water. 

The larvae feed by filtering nutrients from the water and, at summer temperatures, grow to about 6-10 mm. They pupate within two or 

three weeks. 

After a few days in the pupal stage the adults escape from the pupa and float to the surface in an air bubble. Both adult male and female 

black flies feed on nectar and plant juices to meet their energy requirements. Mating occurs soon after emergence. Females of biting 

species then seek blood, which they require to produce eggs. 

Figure 1. Black fly larva 

http://www1.agric.gov.ab.ca/$department/deptdocs.nsf/all/agdex3321 (2 of 8) [5/13/2010 11:39:36 AM]
Black Fly Control

Figure 2. Black fly adult 

Human Protection

Harassment of people by black flies can be reduced by wearing suitable clothing, using repellents, or avoiding outdoor activities during 

periods of peak black fly activity. Black fly attacks are usually more severe in the morning, late afternoon, and early evening or when 

storm clouds are present. They are also more severe in wooded areas than in open areas. 

Light-colored clothing is least attractive to blood-seeking females. Loose-fitting garments with zippers, fastened shirt sleeves, and pant 

legs tucked into socks or boots prevent black flies from crawling into the spaces between the clothing and the body. Head nets made of 

fine-mesh material can protect the head and neck. 

Repellents, applied thinly and evenly, give good protection from black flies. Commercial repellents contain ingredients such as deet (N,Ndiethyl-m-toluamide), 6-12 (2-ethyl-1, 3 hexanediol), citronyl and dimethyl phthalate. Exercise care when applying repellents to keep 

them out of eyes, mouth and nose. Repellents applied to clothing have a long-lasting effect. Jackets impregnated with repellents are 

available commercially. Because repellents may be toxic to animals, humans, birds and fish, always read the instructions on the 

container before using repellents. 

Livestock Protection

Livestock can be protected from black fly attack by raising animals as far away as possible from black fly breeding grounds; by providing 

shelters so animals can enter and avoid attack during periods of intense activity; by treating animals with insecticides or repellents; and 

by implementing a larviciding program. 

Cattle

Shelters, that provide dark conditions into which black flies will not fly are effective in providing cattle with relief from attack. Structures 

consisting of three solid walls and a roof are usually adequate. A shelter 6 m wide, 12 m deep (front to back), and 2.5 m high with two 

solid sides, one end wall, and a roof proved to be adequate for 20 mature cattle. Cattle quickly learn to use the shelters. Self-application 

http://www1.agric.gov.ab.ca/$department/deptdocs.nsf/all/agdex3321 (3 of 8) [5/13/2010 11:39:36 AM]
Black Fly Control

devices for repellents and insecticides can be installed to treat cattle as the enter or leave the shelter. 

Insecticide treatments must cover most of the animal's body to be effective. Only use repellents and insecticides specifically 

recommended for black flies and follow the label instructions carefully. Restrictions on use before slaughter or freshening must be 

followed. 

An electrostatic sprayer allows efficient application of repellents or insecticides to cattle under pasture conditions. The insecticide or 

repellent solution is dispersed as charged droplets that are attracted to the hair of the animals. The advantages of this sprayer are that 

the animals need not be restrained or penned to achieve total body coverage, small amounts of spray solution are required, and little 

time is needed to treat the animals. 

Backrubbers (Figure 3), charged with insecticides or repellents provide protection from black flies with minimum handling of animals. 

Free-use applicators can be placed in pasture or yard locations where animals have convenient access to them whenever they want to 

use them. Forced-use applicators are installed in entrances to fenced-in mineral or water sources and the animals receive a repellent or 

insecticide treatment every time they enter and leave the enclosure. This method of application is usually more effective that the free-use 

method. 

Figure 3. Backrubber oiler 

Horses

Shelters, similar to the ones described for cattle protection, can also provide horses with a refuge for temporary relief from black fly 

attack. Commercial repellents are available and should be used as directed on the label. Application of white petroleum jelly to the inside 

of horses' ears is effective in reducing attack by species that bite the ears. 

Poultry

Poultry can be protected from black fly attack by keeping them indoors during the evenings especially during periods of intense black fly 

http://www1.agric.gov.ab.ca/$department/deptdocs.nsf/all/agdex3321 (4 of 8) [5/13/2010 11:39:36 AM]
Black Fly Control

activity. 

Sheep and swine

Sheep and swine can be offered temporary relief from black fly attack by having access to shelters as described for cattle. 

Larval Control

Eradication of black flies over large areas is not feasible. However, focusing on larval breeding sites can provide good control of along 

sections of rivers and streams that can potentially produce outbreak populations. Water level manipulations or larvicide applications at 

the correct time of the life cycle will substantially reduce the populations. At known breeding sites, a carefully calculated concentration of 

larvicide injected into the water kills larvae and reduces black fly numbers. 

A larval control program should aim to kill the greatest number of larvae possible with a single application of larvicide. Once the larval 

habitat of pest species is determined, cost-effective control can be implemented when high numbers of larvae accumulate. 

Small-scale larvicide programs involve applications from a boat, of either undiluted or diluted insecticide. A variety of techniques including 

tank, barrels, backpack sprayers, or a watering can, may be used depending on the amount required and the type of stream. 

Calculations for larviciding

To determine the amount of insecticide required, the stream discharge and dosage required must be known. Amount required = 

discharge x application rate. Discharge is calculated by determining the width and average depth of the stream in metres, at a point 

upstream from the area to be treated. Measure the velocity of the stream, in metres per second, at several points using a hydrographic 

flowmeter, or by timing a floating object over a measured distance not less that 5 m. The object, such as an apple or orange, should be 

heavy enough that it is not affected by the wind. The average velocity, using the latter method, is about two-thirds of the measured 

surface 

velocity. The stream discharge then is calculated: 

Width (m) x average depth (m) x velocity (m/s) = discharge (m3/s) 

The biological larvicide Bacillus thuringiensis israelensis (Bti) is used at a variety of application rates, depending on concentration of the 

formulation and dosage desired. The label gives formulation concentration and recommended doses. 

Application

Apply the insecticide across the width of stream or river for the time specified by the application rate. The point of application must be far 

enough upstream from the larval habitat so that the insecticide is properly dispersed in the water passing over the infested area. It is 

important to know what the effective "carry" (to maximum distance at which 80 per cent or more of the larvae are killed). The carry 

distance will determine the number of locations needed to cover the treatment area effectively. Carry is determined 24-48 h after 

passage of the Bti suspension. The suspension will travel at about the same velocity as the river. Care should be taken because river 

velocity can vary a great deal over 5 km. If a first treatment does not significantly reduce the larval numbers, further treatments may be 

required. In addition, black fly species that have more that one generation per year will require repeated treatments throughout the year. 

Consult personnel with experience in monitoring larval populations when a larvicide program is being considered, because they know the 

techniques needed to develop an effective program. 

A permit from Alberta Environmental Protection is required when insecticides are applied to flowing water. 

http://www1.agric.gov.ab.ca/$department/deptdocs.nsf/all/agdex3321 (5 of 8) [5/13/2010 11:39:36 AM]
Black Fly Control

Adult control

Temporary relief from adult flies can be obtained from proper use of spatial sprays. A spatial spray is a fine spray, mist or aerosol, 

consisting of very small droplets of insecticide solution that are dispersed by movements of air. The droplets contact adult black flies that 

are in flight or at rest. However, because spatial sprays produce no effective residual deposits of insecticides, the relief is temporary and 

treatments may have to be repeated daily while adults are a problem. 

Spraying of vegetation in farm yards, with insecticides that have residual properties will provide temporary relief from black fly attack. The 

insecticide may be applied as a fine mist or a light spray. A compressed-air sprayer fitted with a fine-spray nozzle or an aerosol generator 

can disperse the adulticide sufficiently to reduce adult fly numbers temporarily in confined areas. Check provincial regulations before 

controlling adult black flies. 

Application

When using a fogger (thermal aerosol generator), apply the insecticide just before sunset or just before sunrise, when black fly adults are 

most active. Wind speeds of less than 10 km/h are ideal for ground dispersal. The generator should be move in parallel lines, at 5 to 6 

km/h, working upwind at intervals of 200-350 m. 

Table 1. Larvicide

Product Trade name Preparation and application Precaution

Bacillus 

thuringiensis 

israelensis

Vectobac,Teknar, 

Bactimos

Application to infected streams:

Amount required = discharge x application rate. 

May require a licenced applicator. Check with Alberta 

Environmental protection for larviciding permits.

Do not apply to treated, 

finished drinking water.

Note: Always follow the manufacturer's label instructions for proper mixing and application. 

Table 2. Adulticides

Product Trade 

name Preparation and application Precaution

Malathion 50% 

EC

Backrubber application to beef and dairy cattle:

Mix 1 L of 50% Malathion and 24 L of fuel or diesel oil in a backrubbing 

device. Devices must be continuously available and serviced to ensure 

optimum use and operation. 

Do not apply to animals 

under one month of age.

http://www1.agric.gov.ab.ca/$department/deptdocs.nsf/all/agdex3321 (6 of 8) [5/13/2010 11:39:36 AM]
Black Fly Control

Permethrin Ectiban 0.5% backrubber treatment: beef and non-lactating dairy cattle: 

Mix 250 mL 10% EC or 100 mL 25% EC/5 L lightweight oil. Devices must 

be continuously available and serviced to ensure optimum use and 

operation. DO NOT apply to animals under one month of age. Discontinue 

treatment 30 days before slaughter.

0.05% spray treatment: beef and non-lactating dairy cattle. Mix 

200mL of 25% EC/100 L of water. Apply 1-2 L/animal over the whole body. 

Repeat application if necessary after eight days. 

Leave a seven day interval 

between last spray and 

avoid contact with skin and 

eyes. 

Do not apply within 30 days 

of freshening.

Note: Always follow the manufacturer's label instruction for proper mixing and application. 

Table 3. Fogs and Sprays

Product Trade name Preparation and application Precaution

Dichlorvos Riddex, VapoFog Thermal Fog: Apply as a dense fog close to the ground to black fly 

resting areas. Prepare fogging mixture as directed on the label. 

Do not contaminate feed 

or food products.

Malathion m-50, Vanquish, 

Riddex, Cythion

Ground Fog, aerosol or space spray: Mix 1.1 L of 50% 

malathion concentrate in 10L of water or oil and apply mixture at a rate 

of 4 L/ac (10L/ha). Fog in early morning. Repeat as necessary. 

Do not contaminate feed 

or food products.

Note: Always follow the manufacturer's label instruction for proper mixing and application. 

Prepared by:

Expert Committee on Arthropod Pests of Animals 1993 

For more information, contact: 

Dr. B.A. Khan 

Alberta Agriculture 

Source: Agdex 651-6.

For more information about the content of this document, contact Ali Khan or Agriculture Information Services. 

This information published to the web on February 28, 2002. 

Home Government Search Minister's Office Expenses 

Using this Site Privacy International Travel Expenses Contact Us 

Phone the Ag-Info Centre, toll-free in Alberta at 310-FARM (3276), for agricultural information. 

© 2002 - 2010 Government of Alberta Copyright and Disclaimer

http://www1.agric.gov.ab.ca/$department/deptdocs.nsf/all/agdex3321 (7 of 8) [5/13/2010 11:39:36 AM]
Black Fly Control

http://www1.agric.gov.ab.ca/$department/deptdocs.nsf/all/agdex3321 (8 of 8) [5/13/2010 11:39:36 AM]