Y PESTICIDES CORRECTLY
IDE FOR COMMERCIAL APPLICATOR
GRICULTURAL
EST CONTROL--
ANIMAL
U.S. ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION
OFFICE OF PESTICIDE PROGRAMS
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20460
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
Page
Acknowledgments 1
Preface 1
Pests of Agricultural Animals 2
Cattle 2
Sheep and Goats 4
Swine 5
Horses, Mules, and Donkeys 5
Poultry 6
Animal Predators 7
Pesticide Application Techniques 7
Pesticide Safety 7
1976
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ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
PREFACE
This guide has been developed by the University of
Nebraska under Environmental Protection Agency
(EPA) contract number 68-01-2910. The contract
was issued by the Training Branch, Operations Divi-
sion, Office of Pesticide Programs, EPA. The leader
of this group effort was Robert J. Florell, University
of Nebraska. Editors were Mary Ann Wamsley,
EPA, and Donna M. Vermeire, North Carolina
State University.
Contributors were:
J. F. Butler, University of Florida
J. B. Campbell, University of Nebraska
R. C. Dobson, Purdue University
W. D. Fitzwater, Environmental Protection Agency,
Washington, D.C.
P.S. Gipson, University of Nebraska
J.A. Hair, Oklahoma State University
I. Holzbauer, University of Nebraska
F. W. Knapp, University of Kentucky
E. C. Loomis, University of California
R. F. Moorer, Environmental Protection Agency,
Washington, D.C.
M. Wilcomb, Environmental Protection Agency,
Region VII
Wildlife Staff, University of Nebraska
Federal regulations establish general and specific
standards that you must meet before you can use
certain pesticides. Your State will provide material
which you may study to help you meet the general
standards. This guide contains basic information to
help you meet the specific standards for applicators
who are engaged in Agriculture-Animal pest control.
Because the guide was prepared to cover the entire
nation, some information important to your State
may not be included. The State agency in charge of
your training can provide the other materials you
should study.
This guide will give you information about:
• common pests of agricultural animals,
• methods for controlling these pests, and
• pesticides used in animal agriculture.
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PESTS OF AGRICULTURAL
ANIMALS
Agricultural animals are attacked by mites and ticks,
insects, and animal predators. These pests affect
animal productivity by:
• killing animals,
• spreading disease agents and parasitic worms,
• causing loss of blood,
• causing anemia,
• causing physical damage to animals or animal
products,
• reducing weight gains,
• reducing milk or egg production, and
• decreasing animal resistance to other diseases.
CATTLE
The insects and related pests that attack cattle in-
clude:
Horn Fly
This small, bloodsucking parasite remains on the
animal most of the time. The female lays eggs in
fresh cattle droppings. The larvae develop there, and
the adult fly then migrates to host animals.
tar and dung liquids. The life cycle from egg to adult
is completed in 2 to 3 weeks in favorable weather.
Horn Fly
Face Fly
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Control is difficult due to the mobility of the flies
and short effective life of insecticides. Daily hand
treatment of animals or daily forced use of dust
bags or oilers give the best results. Daily feedings
of systemic insecticides as feed supplements may
aid in control.
Heel Fly (Cattle Grub)
These flies have one generation each year. They
lay eggs on the host animals. The larvae (grubs)
enter the skin at the base of the hairs. After
migrating to the gullet or spinal canal, the larvae
move to the loin area. Here they cut breathing
holes through the hide and produce cysts (warbles).
The fully grown grubs emerge through the breathing
holes, drop to the ground, and pupate in the soil.
Adults emerge in warm weather.
Heel Fly
Control may be achieved by the use of dust bags,
sprays, oilers, and mineral or feed additives. Self-
applicators are most effective when cattle are forced
to use them daily. Cattle sprayed by ground sprayer
or aerial ULV (ultra low volume) sprayer require
repeated treatments.
Face Fly
The face fly also develops in single fresh droppings.
Adult face flies cluster around the eyes and noses of
animals. These flies feed on animal secretions, nee-
Systemic insecticides provide the best grub control.
They can be applied as sprays, dips, pour-ons, spot
treatments, and as feed supplements. To avoid harm
to the treated animal, the systemic insecticide must
be applied only at certain times during the fly's life
cycle. Follow the treatment cutoff dates for the
region as listed on the label. Post-treatment symp-
toms from incorrect treatment may include bloat,
inability to eat or take water, diarrhea, staggering,
excessive salivation, and partial hindquarter paraly-
sis. Systemics cannot be used on milking dairy cattle.
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House and Stable Flies
Houseflies can transmit many animal diseases.
Houseflies feed on manure and animal secretions
through sponging mouthparts. Large numbers of
flies may annoy feeder and dairy cattle, causing
reduced efficiency or production and increased bac-
terial counts in milk.
House Fly
The stable fly is similar to the housefly but sucks
blood through piercing mouthparts which protrude
spearlike from under the head of the adult.
Stable Fly
Both house and stable flies develop in decaying
silage, spilled feeds, animal bedding, manure, moist
hay and other forage, and aquatic plants. Sanitation
is the key step in control of these flies. Disposal of
animal wastes and organic debris is essential.
Chemical control works only when used in conjunc-
tion with good sanitation practices. Use directed
sprays to apply persistent insecticides to fly resting
areas, such as fences, feed bunks, buildings, and
vegetation. Space sprays by ground or aerial appli-
cation may also be effective. Milk regulations limit
pesticides that may be used at dairies.
Horse and Deer Flies
Horse and deer flies are common biting flies of
cattle and horses. The females are strong fliers with
painful bites. The bites usually continue to bleed
after the fly leaves.
The life cycle takes from 70 days to 2 years. Imma-
ture stages live in aquatic or semiaquatic places.
Control of these flies is difficult because they may
migrate over long distances and do not stay on the
host long enough to be killed by residual sprays.
Some repellents give 2- to 5-day control.
Chewing and Sucking Lice
Lice spend their entire life cycle on the animal.
They hatch from eggs deposited on the hair. They
feed by sucking blood or chewing on the skin. Most
louse populations are greatest during cold weather
months. Cattle tail lice are more numerous during
Chewing and
Sucking Lice
summer. Lice are spread chiefly by contact with
infested animals. The use of insecticides will control
louse populations. More than one application may
be necessary at 2- to 3-week intervals. The use
of dust bags and oilers aids in louse control.
Mosquitoes
Mosquitoes transmit diseases of animals and man
and may affect efficiency of animal meat and milk
production. Life cycle of mosquitoes vary greatly,
depending on the type of mosquito and the environ-
ment. The female lays eggs on water or in areas
subject to flooding. The larval and pupal stages
develop in water and the adult stage emerges from
the pupa.
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Mosquito
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The best control method is to eliminate or mini-
mize standing-water areas, such as potholes, water
tanks, unused receptacles, and other manmade con-
tainers. Insecticides are available to control both
larvae and adults. You can control mosquitoes with
directed sprays or by use of foggers and ULV
applicators. Use them in mosquito resting areas,
such as open barns and sheds, weeds, grass, trees,
and shrubbery.
Ticks
Ticks are parasites of cattle. They can transmit
diseases. In addition, Joss of blood and injection of
toxins during tick feeding affect animal health,
weight gains, and milk production.
Hard Tick
Correct identification of ticks is important for eco-
nomical and effective control. To control ear-in-
festing ticks (such as Gulf Coast and spinose ear
ticks), apply pesticides directly to the ear as sprays,
smears, or dusts. To control species infesting the
body (such as the lone star tick), treat the entire
body with high pressure sprays or dips. Treatment
must be repeated for some tick species. Tick con-
trol may be required during any season of the year.
Cattle Scabies
Scabies is caused by an infestation of a specific
mite. These mites tunnel in the skin, causing a
mange.
Cattle Scabie
Scabies cause:
• skin irritation,
• excessive hair, skin, and water loss,
• severe weight loss, and
• reduced milk production.
They also make the animal more susceptible to
other diseases, transmission is by contact with in-
fested animals or mite-contaminated material.
Treat infested animals by spraying or dipping them
in insecticides registered for this purpose. Scabies
treatment is regulated by Federal quarantine laws.
SHEEP AND GOATS
The insects and related pests that attack sheep and
goats include:
Sheep Ked
The sheep ked adult is a wingless fly which spends
its entire life cycle on sheep. It is occasionally found
on goats.
The nearly mature larvae are deposited on wool
strands, where they pupate almost immediately. The
adult emerges and begins to feed on blood.
The sheep ked reduces efficiency of sheep and causes
a damaging hide condition called "cockle". Apply
insecticides as sprays, dusts, or dips. Application
at shearing gives the most efficient control.
Chewing and Sucking Lice
Sheep and goat lice cause:
• intense skin irritation, resulting in reduced quality
and quantity of fleeces, and
• blood loss, resulting in anemia.
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Transmission is by contact with infested animals.
Insecticides applied as dips, sprays, or dusts will
provide louse control.
Sheep Scabies
This pest is under Federal quarantine regulations.
Nose Bot
Living fly larvae are deposited in or around the
nostrils of the sheep. The larvae migrate to head
sinuses, where they develop. At maturity, they
migrate back down the nasal passages and drop to
the ground, where they pupate and become adults.
Migration of the larvae irritates the nasal mem-
branes and is often followed by secondary infec-
tions. No registered treatment is currently available.
Wool Maggot (Black Blow Fly)
This fly lays eggs in dirty wool or on wounds. After
hatching, the fly maggots spread over the animal
and feed on dead tissue under the fleece. Their
damage sometimes causes death.
Early shearing and medication of wounds before
blow fly season is an effective preventive measure.
Clipping and cleaning the fleece will help prevent
infestations. Insecticide sprays, dips, or smears are
effective in controlling this pest.
Spinose Ear Tick
This is the only tick which normally poses a prob-
lem to sheep. Its feeding on the inner folds of the
ear produces much discomfort and results in a break-
down of the ears.
The spinose ear tick can be controlled by applying
insecticide dusts or liquid insecticides in oil to the
inner folds of the sheep's ear.
Sptncw* Ear Tick
SWINE
Flies
Most flies that are pests of cattle are also pests of
swine. Refer to description and control recom-
mendations in the Cattle section.
Hog Lice
The presence of hog lice may be indicated by exces-
sive scratching and rubbing. This causes reddening
and thickening of skin and results in reduced weight,
particularly in young pigs. Heavy infestations may
cause death. The life cycle is the same as that of
cattle lice.
Pesticides can be applied as sprays or dusts or in
oilers. Treatment must be repeated periodically for
effective control. Granular formulations applied to
bedding may also provide control.
Mange Mites
Burrowing mites cause mange. They can be con-
trolled by spraying or dipping.
HORSES, MULES, AND DONKEYS
Insects and related pests that attack these animals
include:
Horse and Deer Flies
See Cattle section.
Lice
For descriptions, refer to Cattle section. Damage
includes loss of hair, scurfiness of skin, and irrita-
bility of the animal. Animals may become unman-
ageable and may injure themselves. Pesticides can
be applied as sprays, dusts, washes, and wipes.
Horse Bots
The three main species—nose, chin (or throat),
and common bots—of horses attach their eggs to the
hair of the horse. The eggs hatch and the larvae are
transferred to the animal's mouth. They migrate to
the stomach, where they remain until maturity.
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Chicken Mite
Horse Bot
They are then eliminated with the dung and pupate
in the soil, emerging in the early summer. Horse
bots usually have one generation each year.
Effective insecticide treatment is by drenching, feed-
ing or bolusing, or oral paste, ideally after a hard
freeze when adults have been eliminated.
Ticks
Most equine ticks are similar to cattle ticks. Refer
to tick section under Cattle.
POULTRY
Lice
Chewing lice infest poultry. They spend their entire
life on the host. Louse transmission is by direct
contract with infested birds. Lice are more com-
mon during cold weather. Infested birds become
restless and damage themselves by pecking at body
areas. Weight gain and egg production may de-
crease. Insecticides can be applied by dusting or
spraying the bird or providing self-treatment devices
such as dust boxes.
Mites
Several species of mites infest poultry. The most
common is the chicken or red mite, which feeds
on blood during the night and hides in cracks of
the house during the day. Another common mite is
the northern fowl mite, which spends all of its life
on the bird.
Infested birds develop skin irritation and anemia.
If not controlled, dense mite populations may reduce
weight gains and egg production or cause death.
Mite infestations are transferred from bird to bird.
They sometimes are a result of invasion of poultry
houses by wild birds. Other means are: infested
feathers and poultry handling equipment, flats, man-
ure, workers and poultry feet.
Control the chicken (red) mite by spraying pesti-
cide into the cracks and crevices of the poultry
house. Spray the pesticide directly on the birds for
northern fowl mite control. Retreatment may be
required for effective control.
Chiggers
Chiggers are a problem on range birds, primarily
turkeys. Infested turkeys may be downgraded in
quality by lesions caused by chigger bites. Apply
pesticides to the ground as sprays or dusts. Re-
peated applications may be necessary.
Fowl Ticks
Although several species of ticks may infest poultry,
the most prevalent is the fowl tick. The fowl tick
causes about the same kind of damage as poultry
mites. All forms (larvae, nymphs, and adults) at-
tach to the skin. They suck blood and cause skin
irritation. Loss of blood in chicks can be great
enough to cause death. Older birds become anemic,
and production is reduced.
These ticks hide in cracks and crevices in poultry
houses. Infested birds also transmit ticks to other
birds.
Control is by spraying pesticide in the poultry
houses and directly on the birds.
Bed Bugs
Bed bugs are serious pests in poultry houses and
may become a pest of man. They hide from the light
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during the day and feed on poultry in the dark. They
may survive for long periods without feeding. In-
fested poultry suffer blood loss, which may result
in anemia.
Spraying recommended insecticides into cracks and
crevices and wall voids in poultry houses and sur-
rounding areas is the best method of control.
Flies
Many types of domestic flies are pests on poultry
ranches. The house fly is the most common prob-
lem.
Some flies may transmit disease to poultry. Adults
which disperse into the surrounding environment
are a nuisance to man and may transmit human and
animal diseases.
Good sanitation is important for successful fly con-
trol. Follow the recommendations in the Cattle
section for house and stable fly control.
ANIMAL PREDATORS
A variety of large and small predators can attack
livestock and poultry. Livestock and poultry may
be injured or killed:
• by direct predator attack,
• as a result of stampeding when frightened by a
predator, or
• by pedator transmitted diseases.
Predator controls consist mainly of trapping, shoot-
ing, poisoning, and correct livestock and poultry
management. Control of some species and certain
control methods are regulated by State and Federal
laws. You must know and follow appropriate regu-
lations. Be sure that you correctly identify the preda-
tor causing damage.
PESTICIDE APPLICATION
TECHNIQUES
When using contact pesticides for external parasites,
be sure the pesticides reach the pest. When using
power equipment, you may need to increase the
pressure to get sufficient penetration.
For applying liquid contact pesticides, use:
• power sprayers,
• knapsack sprayers,
• compressed air sprayers,
• rubbing devices (back and face rubbers), or
• pour-on treatments.
Dusts may be applied by:
• power dusters,
• knapsack dusters,
• rubbing devices, or
• individual hand treatments.
Systemic pesticides, which are transported through-
out the animal's system, are applied as:
• pour-ons,
• spot treatments,
• sprays,
• feed additives, or
• dips.
PESTICIDE SAFETY
PESTICIDE TOXICITY
Pesticides can protect animals from pests, but they
may be toxic to the animals being treated as well
as to the pests. Apply them correctly to prevent
adverse effects. Animals may be sensitive to certain
pesticides. Poisoning signs usually include excessive:
• salivation,
• eye watering,
• defecation,
• urination, and
• muscle twitching.
DO NOT treat animals which are under stress or
which will be put under stress. Be careful not to
overdose young or smaller animals. When planning
a pesticide application, chose the pesticide which
has the least risk of adverse effects and will give
good control.
PESTICIDE FORMULATIONS
Consider how the pesticide formulation will affect
the animals. Sprays are generally suited for treating
most animals, except in freezing weather. Some
pour-ons, smears, and dust formulations are recom-
mended in cold weather. Do not let oil sprays pene-
trate the hair to the animal's skin in any weather,
unless directed on the label.
RESIDUE POTENTIAL
Follow the label recommendations closely for time
intervals between application of pesticides and
slaughter or marketing. Failure to do this can result
in illegal residues in meat, milk, or eggs. The animals
or animal products may be confiscated and you
could be prosecuted.
U.S. GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE: 1978-6143-3.1
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