Efficacy of ivermectin jetting fluid for the curative treatment of blowfly strikes in sheep.

A jetting fluid containing 7.5% w/v ivermectin, which was diluted to 0.03 mg/mL in water and applied using a standard hand jetting technique, was assessed for its efficacy in treating blowfly strikes on Merino sheep. Strikes were induced on sheep held under insectary conditions using laboratory-reared Lucilia cuprina. All struck sheep jetted at 28, 48 or 72 hours after exposure to flies were successfully treated. All 1st, 2nd and early 3rd instar larvae were killed within 24 hours of treatment.