One of the few drawbacks of summer. Whether they crawl, fly, skitter or tunnel, insects are probably the most hated animals on Earth. Even though most are only a mild annoyance, their sheer numbers, dogged tenacity and ability to survive and breed in the most inhospitable conditions have marked them as a public enemy. Livestock operations, open lot and pasture alike, are about as close to heaven as insects, especially flies, can get. Room to land, plenty of food and ample breeding areas attract them from far and wide.
Flies can be problematic for Iowa's beef producers.
Not only are they pesky, but biting flies adversely affect animal performance and spread disease. Ken Holscher, associate professor in the Entomology Department at Iowa State University and cooperator with the Iowa Beef Center, said producers have several options available for fly control. All fly control options have limitations, so producers need to evaluate their specific needs and choose wisely. Pasture Control - Chemical Horn flies and face flies are the two main species that affect pastured cattle. Although the most effective means of controlling them are primarily chemical, there is a variety of application methods.