Cattle fly control using controlled-release insecticides.

Field trials were carried out from 1980 to 1984 on the use of a controlled-release pesticidal fly control technique on farms in Sussex, England, with a recurrent infectious keratoconjunctivitis problem related to fly attack. Pesticide impregnated p.v.c. ear-tags provided control of biting and disease-carrying fly species throughout the season. Over 90% control of flies, compared with untreated herds, was attained using 2 tags impregnated with cypermethrin, fenvalerate or flucythrinate, although control using a single tag was unsatisfactory. In all cases infectious keratoconjunctivitis was almost completely eliminated.