Q&A: Feed-Through Programs For Horn Fly Control
Q. I generally feed mineral supplements. Can these be integrated into a feed-through program?
A. Yes. By combining horn fly control with your mineral supplementation, you eliminate the additional labor needed to administer other types of control programs (backrubbers, dust bags, sprays or ear tags).
Q. Does my feed-through product control flies other than horn flies?
A. Fly biology indicates the active ingredient may not be present when these other flies make use of manure. Altosid® IGR has an approved claim for horn fly larvae control.
Q. Are there beneficial insects that exist in manure?
A. Yes, dung beetles are one such insect. When Altosid® IGR is fed at approved rates, there is no impact on dung beetles.
Q. How long does is take to see results from a feed-through program?
A. To effectively break the horn fly life cycle, a feed-through program using Altosid® IGR Feed-Thru requires 3 to 4 weeks for significant reduction in adult horn fly numbers. Greatest overall success is achieved when the feed-through program is started 30 days before adult horn fly emergence.
Q. What’s the average return on investment of a feed-through program?
A. Using Altosid® IGR Feed-Thru typically costs 3.2 cents per 1,000 lb. animal per day of control. Basically, for every dollar spent on Altosid® IGR, a return of $6 to $10 is typical. This fact is based on well-established university economic parameters on weight loss or lost milk production. This return on investment makes Altosid® IGR an excellent value.
Q. I’ve got a horn fly problem right now. Will a feed-through program get rid of the adults?
A. Feed-through products only control larvae and will not impact adults. A spraying program, using products such as Prolate/Lintox-HD™, may be needed to knock down adult flies when you begin your feed-through program. Visit www.starbarproducts.com to learn more.
Q. I’ve used ear tags for several years with good results. Why should I consider changing practices?
A. Ear tags have proved an excellent tool in horn fly control, but they do have drawbacks compared to other methods. Resistance to insecticides in ear tags has reduced their efficacy in many areas. They also require labor to install and remove, and they may not last through the entire horn fly season.
Q. With all the insecticide resistance problems out there, won’t the feed-through products eventually cause resistance?
A. Because Altosid® IGR mimics biochemicals naturally produced by insects, resistance is unlikely. In fact, in more than 25 years of use, there has never been a single documented case of horn fly resistance to Altosid® IGR.
Q. How does Altosid® IGR Feed-Thru work?
A. Horn flies lay eggs in manure. After the eggs hatch, larvae (maggots) must molt as they grow. During this growth process, insects produce biochemicals that aid in this process. As the final growth stage, the pupal stage, occurs, the IGR provides a jolt of extra biochemical that interrupts the growth process. As a result, adult flies never come out of the pupal stage.
Q. Can I use an IGR with other horn fly control products?
A. Yes. A complete program should include face fly control, along with adulticide products, depending on the level of initial infestation.