Stable flies are blood-feeders. Their mouthparts form a bayonet that projects out in front of the head and is used to bite the cattle. House flies are not blood-feeders and do not have this bayonet. Floate advises producers to continuously be on the watch for pest problems. Although flies on the cattle may indicate a problem, confirmation comes when the animals are visibly irritated by the pests.
Flies breed in moist areas with rotting organic material.
Producers need to walk around their pens, identify problem spots and clean them up. For example, producers should learn to recognize breeding grounds. From there, producers can take a few simple steps to clean up pens. Adult flies can be discouraged from congregating around feed pens by eliminating the vertical, shady areas, such as standing crops of weeds, where they like to rest. If the fly problem is escalating in August or September, the best option is to spray, Floate says.