Adding this feed-through as part of an IPM program can have a major impact on dairy cattle productivity. 20 days. Besides being annoying, their bites also spread parasites and diseases. Stable fly, (Stomoxys calcitrans), a species of vicious bloodsucking fly in the family Muscidae (sometimes placed in the family Stomoxyidae) in the fly order, Diptera. may feel like a needle stab and typically occur around the ankles and lower parts of the legs. Win the Battle Against Stable Flies. Adulticides are very minimal and typically ineffective against stable flies. Stable flies like to feed on the lower parts of the hosts such as the legs and belly of horses and cattle. In the absence of these animal hosts, they will bite people and dogs. The stable fly larva requires six to twenty—six days to develop under normal summer breeding conditions. Both the male and female stable flies take a bloodmeal. Irritation by the stable fly biting cause cattle to consume less feed, to grow at a slower rate and to convert less feed into body mass. I… Consequently, stable flies also have an economic impact on the Florida’s tourism industry. Stable Flies can move great distances. Sprays are usually the best option for stable fly control, and require weekly applications to manage populations. Stable flies are a developmental vector for Habronema microstoma, a spiruid nematode, which causes gastric and cutaneous forms of habronemiasis in horses throughout the world. Preparation for TDA Pesticide Applicator License Training, College of Veterinary Medicine (cooperative with AgriLife Extension & Research), Texas A&M Veterinary Medical Diagnostic Laboratory. A successful fly control program must rely on timely elimination of breeding sites and moisture control. Large mammals – cattle, horses, donkeys, dogs, swine, sheep, goats and camels, and zoo animals. Stomoxys calcitrans (L.), the stable fly (Figure 1), is a filth fly of worldwide medical and veterinary importance. to control house and stable flies. During periods of high stable fly activity, humans can be severely annoyed and this insect has been called "the biting house fly." The most practical and economical method for reducing stable fly populations is the elimination or appropriate management of larval food sources. Fly Traps and Tapes To catch adult flies outside of your barn, consider using fly traps that lure flies into them. A trap referred to as the Olson biting fly trap has a unique design that consists of a special fiberglass panel wrapped in a cylinder and attached to a stake 3-4 feet high. The bite is painful enough to disrupt outdoor activities such as picnics when stable flies are numerous. LambdaStar UltraCap 9.7 or We suggest outdoor fly traps such as the Flies Be Gone Fly Trap, Catchmaster Disposable Fly Trap, or the Advantage Fly Trap. Animals that are being attacked will stamp and kick their legs, as well as bunch together. Products sprayed directly to the infested breeding sites can be utilized. There are two types of traps - those that attract flies visually (best for biting stable flies) and those that attract flies by odor (best for house flies). Remove other breeding areas like wet straw and mulch and all rotting organic matter. Use a feed-thru fly control product prior to the onset of the season to inhibit the development of adult houseflies and stable flies in the manure of treated horses. Stable flies are known as filth flies or ankle biters-they lay their eggs in spoiled or fermenting organic matter mixed with manure, soil and moisture so these conditions often occur along feed bunks, edges of feeding aprons, along stacks of hay/straw, poorly managed compost piles, winter hay feeding sites, near water sources, etc. This often occurs when they are picked up by weather fronts and carried aloft for several hundred miles. The Stable Fly is easily distinguished from other common domestic flies by the long, pointed proboscis which extends in front of the head. Know your enemy, the first rule of tactical warfare, also applies to the battle against the buzzing infiltrators in your barn. Three general approaches to reduce problems include: 1)    Prevent breeding by making manure unavailable or to dry or wet for the larvae to survive or kill the larvae before they become adults, 2)    Kill adults before they cause harm or start to produce eggs, 3)    Exclude adults entrance by using screens or other barriers. Control is warranted when bunching, stamping and tail switching is excessive or when the economic threshold of 3 stable flies per leg is met. Flies. Houseflies are usually the biggest problem for horse owners; if you have stable flies, you'll need a different type of trap. Waste should be disposed of properly by either burial, spreading in a thin layer (less than 3 cm) on open fields, submersion in water, or aerobic composting. Stable flies become a major problem in early spring. One alternative is to combine the removal or management of fly-breeding material with the use of traps and parasitic wasps to kill both the adult and immature flies. Numbers tend to decrease when it gets hotter and drier, then another smaller explosion in numbers occurs in early fall with cooler temperatures and moisture. Adult stable flies take one bloodmeal a day from the legs, sides, back and belly of large animals and the legs, head and ears of small animals. Parasitic wasps, referred to as parasitoids, are particularly effective against horn flies and house flies but have shown poor results with stable flies thus far. Flies and biting insects can ruin your horse's day. The eggs hatch after 1 to 3 days into yellowish-white maggots/larvae. Control nuisance flies that cause discomfort on your dairy farm. larvae pass through 3 instars and pupate in the last larval skin. The Bite Free Stable Fly Trap is a trap that almost every horse owner should have, but most don’t. Unlike the housefly, where the mouth part is adapted for sponging, the stable fly mouth parts have biting structures. Most filth flies can reproduce quickly in warm weather. The early morning and late afternoon hours are commonly peak feeding times. Adults are generally about 6–8 mm ( ⁄4– ⁄16 inch) in length and a lighter color than the housefly. Stable flies also have long, bayonet-like mouthparts for sucking blood. The adults have a piercing/sucking proboscis that is used to extract a bloodmeal and seven circular black spots on a gray abdomen. Stable Flies overwinter as larvae or pupae. Stable flies rest on sides of barns and buildings, inside and outside animal stalls and around fences. No less than 60 different diseases can be transmitted by filth flies, from salmonella to dysentery. How to Control: As with the majority of flies the first step is sanitation. Stable flies are obligate blood feeders, and primarily attack cattle and horses for a blood meal. Predatory mites, beetles, and other fly larvae feast on the developingstable fly larvae. Not an important vector of animal pathogens. These Larvicides provide control against developing larvae. Fly Control, a Horse Management Necessity. The bunching behavior exhibited by dairy cattle will lead to increased body temperatures lower milk production. Stable Flies make up about 20% of the pest fly population around horses typically, but they are not attracted to House Fly traps. House flies and stable flies need breeding material, moisture, and warmth to develop. Stable fly populations as low as 5 stable flies per foreleg can cause economic losses in a feedlot situation. The effects are greater when the weather is hot and humid; the bunching interferes with the animals’ ability to dissipate excess heat. A single house fly can carry over one million bacteria. Both males and females use this proboscis to pierce the skin of a host and suck their blood. These organisms kill the eggs, larvae and pupae of the stable flies providing assistance to the cause. ClariFly ® Larvicide protects from disease-carrying flies that feed on dairy cattle, including house flies, stable flies and horn flies. In warm weather, the pupal stage lasts 6 to 20 days. They bite people, livestock, pets and other mammals. Fly Predators parasitize Stable Flies and are an effective control tool. Protecting Your Horse From Strangles: Using Fly Control as Part of Your Strategy. Stable flies represent >90% of flies developing from rotting crop residues of either cauliflower, celery, broccoli, carrots, onions, potatoes and corn. AgriLife Extension's online Bookstore offers educational information and resources related to our many areas of expertise and programming; from agriculture, horticulture, and natural resources to nutrition, wellness for families and youth, and much more. Click the image for helpful information regarding Zika Virus. Insect repellent does not work on stable flies. Even though, the female requires a blood meal to lay eggs, both male and female feed on blood. Often known as biting There are many fly control options and strategies available to Nebraska livestock producers to help manage the three fly species that economically impact grazing cattle; the horn fly, face fly and stable fly. Cattle, horses, and people are typically bitten on the legs while dogs and swine are bitten on the ears. The economic injury level for feeder cattle is when the stable fly population reaches an average of about five flies per front leg. Stable flies are usually found in open sunny areas, although they may enter a house during bad weather. Mist blower sprayers can be used for this purpose; however, initial costs may be high. Pyrethrins are non-residual and only last for a short time. 1 In a compilation of studies, the five fly population groups showed a reduction in feed efficiency that resulted in an average loss of $8.51 per animal per season. Stable flies are painful biting filth flies that resemble the house fly in appearance but just a tad bit smaller in size (5-7 mm long). Stable flies overwinter in breeding sites and emerge the following spring as adults. Some parasitoid wasps can be purchased commercially to enhance the number of wasps present on your property. “Researchers believe that the stable fly is programmed to target the places of an animal where the skin is soft and the capillaries are close to the surface. Because stable flies mainly congregate around animals’ legs, it can be difficult to get adequate control with insecticides. The larvae feed and grow beneath the surface of the breeding material. Remove soiled bedding, old hay, spilt feed, clean up feed areas, and manure from drover’s allies at least once a week to limit and control stable fly habitat. The bites The larvae occur in decaying fibrous substrates: straw bedding, wet hay, algal mats and wet grass clippings, accumulations of manure from dairy and beef cattle, mixtures of soil and partially composted bedding and animal manure and crop by products. STABLE FLY AEROSOL SPRAY ^ As a space spray, apply PT-565 daily as is needed. Insecticides can help to provide some temporary reduction of house fly and stable fly populations but cannot be the basis of effective fly management. Both houseflies and stable flies thrive in places where livestock manure and urine are present along with decaying organic matter such as spoiled feed and soiled straw. It is also difficult to control stable flies by spraying building and vegetation, residual is low and without direct contact mortality is low. We also carry a line of professional fogging materials and foggers. Click for a hub of Extension resources related to the current COVID-19 situation. Stable flies will feed on blood from practically any warmblooded animal, including humans, pets and livestock. Un-infested areas thus can become heavily infested almost overnight. Since Stable Flies breed in livestock waste, removal of the breeding source is the best method to eliminate them. Cyper WSP. There are many insecticide control methods available to manage horn fly numbers; backrubbers, dust bags, insecticidal ear tags and strips, pour-ons, oral larvicides, low pressure sprayers, mist blower sprayers, and the Vet Gun. Remove other breeding areas like wet straw and mulch and all rotting organic matter. Stable flies are not known to transmit disease in humans, but are annoying enough to drive people away from beaches when they are numerous. Filth flies include some of our most common fly pests — house flies, fruit flies, green bottle flies, stable flies, and several others. Suggested Fly Traps: Place fly traps near the stable fly breeding areas. Contact  |  Customer Service | USDA Extension Locations The stable fly adult is similar to the house fly in size and color. Stable fly eggs are laid in places such as decaying hay, straw, fermenting weeds, grass, and seaweed. Losses in feedlots will likely occur when the average number of stable flies per leg is 3 or more. Management of potential development sites should be completed fo… Treating livestock or pets with insecticides and repellents can aid in control, however the impact is often short-lived (hours to days). Your Horse's Natural Fly-Control Strategies. The economic impact of the stable fly is very significant. Residual Insecticides: An easy way to eliminate existing stable flies is to find their resting area and spot spray with a residual sprays insecticide such as Individual flies may feed more than © 2020 Do It Yourself Pest Control. Areas along fence rows, under feed bunks, or wherever manure and straw or decaying matter can accumulate should be kept clean, because these substrates provide the medium in which the larval flies develop. Beneficial organisms such as predators, parasites and natural competitors occur naturally in similar breeding locations of the stable fly larvae. The main consideration in stable fly control is sanitation, which can effect up to 90% control. Dry breeding grounds will encourage beneficial insect and mite development. Creating Apple Cider Vinegar and Witch Hazel fly Repellent: This is a natural outdoor fly repellent … Cons: Most traps only attract "filth" flies (house and blow flies), so you need to determine the types of flies you're targeting. Houseflies, stable flies and horn flies can spread the bacterium Corynebacterium pseudotuberculosis, the causative agent of pigeon fever. Peak activity usually occurs during warm periods following rainfall. Since they target legs and ankles, loose-fitting long pants and thick socks are recommended when stable … The maggots from these flies use rotting organic matter to develop and the items in your barn or stable – straw, horse feed, hay, water, and urine – can provide the perfect environment for this. Equine formulation for safe, effective, feed-through fly control for stable flies and house flies Can be used with all classes of horses Fortified with NRC recommended levels of minerals and vitamins Convenient, 60-lb tubs can be easily placed where needed. Stable fly control The key to stable fly control is managing its larval habitats, ideally by their removal or drying out so they are less attractive. Fortunately, there are several products available which do a great job. Suggested sprays for stable flies are Stryker 54, CB 80, or PT 565. 2 At higher infestations, cattle demonstrated even greater reduction in average daily gains. Since Stable Flies breed in livestock waste, removal of the breeding source is the best method to eliminate them. Trap options are limited for stable fly adults. Stable flies are commonly found near stables, but also along the seashore and near dog kennels. Whether talking to the Tufts School of Veterinary Medicine or a Texas ranch, horse owners agree that fly control involves a combination of assaults, and the more we learn about our resilient little foes, the better armed we are to win the war. The stable fly resembles the common housefly (Musca domestica), though smaller, and on closer examination has a slightly wider and spotted abdomen. Contact Aerosol Sprays: You can use sprays that contain pyrethrin for immediate results, giving a quick knockdown. Stable flies usually bite at the ankle level and draw blood quickly from their victims and feed to full capacity in three to four minutes if left undisturbed. You need a Stable Fly Trap to get them and … Furthermore, due to the dispersal capability of stable flies, larval development sites on your property may be causing problems for other animals that may be miles away or in residential areas where the flies feed on humans and pets. This trap is one of the only effective ways to collect stable flies when the sticky sleeve film is place around it. The eggs and larvae are found in wet, decomposing straw found around round hay bales. Stable Flies are sometimes confused with House Three general approaches to reduce problems include: 1) Prevent breeding by making manure unavailable or to dry or wet for the larvae to survive or kill the larvae before they become adults Just ONE rotting barrel hay ring can produce 1 million biting stable flies. Control is warranted when bunching, stamping and tail switching is excessive or when the economic threshold of 3 stable flies per leg is met. They require the blood meal for reproduction. Many variations of this trap are still being tested with and without pesticides to increase the control measures of stable flies. Adult stable flies are typically 5mm to 7mm in length and unlike the house fly, which has an unpatterned abdomen, stable fly abdomens have seven circular spots. The other major concern you have is the risk of infestation from the stable flies that are buzzing around your animals and stables. Due to the short amount of time spent on the animal (2-5 mins) and the location (legs), no products have a long enough residual to be effective when sprayed directly onto the animal. Fly control and flea control products can help reduce the pest population and keep your horse comfortable–in the barn, in the stable, and in the pasture. Facilities housing animals should be designed for easy removal of manure and cleaning of stalls frequently. Infection most commonly leads to external abscesses, though some horses develop more serious forms including internal abscesses and ulcerative lymphangitis (infection of … "Proper sanitation and management of manure is the best way to eliminate breeding sites and to control houseflies and stable flies," says Williams. About 60 - 120 eggs are laid at a time with some flies surviving to lay two or more batches of eggs. It is important to remember that flies cannot develop in dry materials. Filth flies, including stable flies, are synanthropic, meaning that they exploit habitats and food sources created by human activities such as f… Stable flies prefer to feed outside and are rarely found feeding or resting indoors. Stable flies also known as "biting flies" can deliver a painful bite. Many of the larvicides on the market are known as IGR, insect growth regulators, and were developed specifically for horn flies and other filth flies developing in the manure, these do not affect stable fly larvae due to the fact that stable fly larvae do not grow in manure. Stable flies are very persistent when searching for a blood meal. The average adult lives about They are only in contact with the host for 2-5 minutes and then rest on surrounding buildings or vegetation. Use good flywear, such as Farnam's SuperMask ® II Horse Fly Mask, to help protect your horse's face, eyes and ears. Do not place fly traps near places where people congregate to avoid bites. The control of stable flies is an ongoing project for any livestock, horse or pet owner. Stable flies have a negative impact on beef production costs by affecting the required amount of time and feed needed to reach slaughter weight. Eggs hatch in less than 24 hours to produce larvae. Beth sexes bite and suck bleed. 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