Solution name: Controlling external parasites

Aim: To present best practise for controlling external parasites

Description:

The main external parasites are

• flystrike
• ticks
• lice (biting and sucking)
• scab

External parasites can have negative impact on

• animal – health, welfare and performance
• labour requirement
• overall profit on a sheep enterprise

How to implement:

• Good farm biosecurity is key for controlling lice and scab
• Keep sheep clean by crutching when necessary
• Chemical treatments can be administered via plunge dipping or pour-ons
• Pour-ons have become popular due to their ease of application and being less labour intense than plunge dipping

Plunge dipping to be effective requires:

• correct dilution and replenishing of dip
• immerse sheep for at least 60 seconds
• submerge the head twice
• use personal protection equipment (PPE) and in well ventilated area

Key messages for using pour-ons:

• apply in dry weather (i.e. dry fleece)
• apply to clean wool – crutch excessively dirty sheep
• treat lambs early before fly strike is anticipated as some products only prevent flystike (insect growth regulators)
• be aware of the withdrawal period when selecting treatment
• use correct nozzle (different for ticks and blowfly) for even distribution of treatment on the animal’s fleece