There are five methods of treating cattle for ticks, listed here. Click below to go straight to the section of this page with information on that application method:
Pour-on products are generally applied along the backline of cattle but some products (e.g. Fluazuron) recommend a side pour from the shoulder to the rump (follow the product label instructions).
The method is relatively fast, easy and safe and does not require the animal to be caught in a head bail, making it less stressful to the animal and less tiring to the operator.
Cattle should be weighed before treatment to determine the correct dose from the label.
Avoid application during rain (unless a rain-fast product is used) or where skin is affected with lesions or caked with mud or manure.
It is good agricultural practice not to handle or treat animals in the heat of the day.
Do not apply pour-on products before branding as some are flammable.
Follow the instructions on the product label and ensure equipment is in good order and calibrated before and regularly during use to ensure the correct dose.
To calibrate equipment, apply a set dose into a measuring cup or cylinder and check the volume.
Resistance
A parasite population can develop resistance to a chemical through:
repeated use of the same active.
wide-spread under-dosing of a chemical (e.g. under-estimating the weight of animals being treated, poor application technique, uncalibrated dosing).
unintentionally exposing non-target parasites to chemicals (e.g. products to treat tick or lice can also affect worms).
Pour-on applications can be susceptible to under-dosing (see points above) plus caked mud, lesions, wet skin etc can reduce chemical uptake. Social licking may also decrease the actual dosage received.
Pros
Ease of application.
Some products treat for more than one parasite (i.e. flies, worms, lice and ticks).
Social licking may result in exchange of chemical between individuals.
Safety
Low risk of inadvertent chemical exposure If used according to label directions.
Everyone working in the rural industry has a ‘duty of care’; a legal obligation to provide a safe workplace for everyone on the property.
Other information
How it works
The chemical works either by direct contact with the parasite or by ingestion of the active as the parasite feeds on the treated host. Depending on the chemical, the active ingredient is transported by spread across the surface of the skin via the oil layer (e.g. synthetic pyrethroids), or through the layers of the skin to blood vessels and tissues (e.g. macrocyclic lactones). If the formulation affects internal parasites the chemical is transported via the blood stream to cells and capillaries lining the gastrointestinal tract. There may also be re-secretion of the active ingredient into the lumen of the intestines where internal parasites reside.
Activity
All pour-on products have a degree of persistent activity which is specified on the label. Formulations combine active ingredient and solvent components (variable dependant on product) to produce chemistry that moves across the skin, or from skin to bloodstream, to the site of activity. This is followed by metabolism and a decaying profile until all the active is removed from the animal’s system. Some more recent formulations give prolonged release and metabolism of chemical, providing parasite control over extended periods.
Concentration
Chemical actives can be formulated at different concentrations in different products. Historically, the concentration of pour-on products was two and a half times that of oral or injectable versions containing the same active ingredient.
Some formulations are made twice as concentrated as older products and are marketed as ‘low volume’. It is important that the dose rate is checked on the product label to ensure that it is appropriate for the application for which it is being used.
Licking
Social licking or allo-licking refers to licking between family groups in cattle herds. It presents an uncontrolled mechanism of exchange of chemical between individuals when the pour-on formulation is used. Transfer of chemical between individuals in this way is unlikely to be a problem if all animals in the mob are treated. However, if only a percentage of the mob have been treated then licking is thought to be responsible for a reduction in the applied product dosage to individuals, potentially leading to under-dosing. Without holding animals separately, little can be done to prevent social licking.
Injection
Subcutaneous
Delivers the chemical under the skin into the subcutaneous tissues where it enters blood capillaries which deliver it to the site where the parasite resides.
Requires a recommended applicator with specialised short needles.
Animals should be restrained in a crush.
Needles can be used on multiple animals; replace when blunt or damaged.
Injection volume is based on the weight of the cattle being treated.
Injection site is usually the subcutaneous tissue high on the neck (behind the ear); follow label instructions for each product as they can differ.
Follow label instructions for recommended needle gauge (width) and length as these will vary with the viscosity of the solution and age of the animal (thickness of the skin).
Resistance
A parasite population can develop resistance to a chemical through:
repeated use of the same active.
wide-spread under-dosing of a chemical (e.g. under-estimating the weight of animals being treated, poor application technique, uncalibrated dosing).
unintentionally exposing non-target parasites to chemicals (e.g. products to treat tick or lice can also affect worms).
Efficacy is completely independent of weather conditions and animal behaviour following treatment.
Cons
May cause adverse reactions at the injection site.
May transfer microorganisms between animals.
May leave excessive residues at the injection site.
May not be approved for use in some classes of stock due to long withholding period (WHP).
Safety
Low risk of inadvertent chemical exposure If used according to label directions.
Everyone working in the rural industry has a ‘duty of care’; a legal obligation to provide a safe workplace for everyone on the property.
How it works
Chemicals administered by injection are formulated for introduction under the skin and to be absorbed into the capillary system of the subcutaneous tissues.
Secondary parasite effects
Some broad-spectrum actives, such as macrocyclic lactones, can affect both internal parasites (worms) and external parasites that feed on blood, such as ticks, buffalo flies, stable flies and sucking lice. This unintentional exposure of non-target, secondary parasites to chemical actives can lead to these populations developing resistance.
Dip
Most widely used for tick control, but can also be used for other specific external parasites.
It is a legal requirement in NT and WA to treat cattle being moved from known cattle tick areas to tick free zones (QLD legislation now allows treatment on property using an ML).
Ensure animals are fully submerged and completely soaked as they swim through the dip.
Experienced, careful management is important to ensure effective application.
Follow label instructions and ensure appropriate personal protective equipment is used.
Resistance
A parasite population can develop resistance to a chemical through:
Repeated use of the same active.
Wide-spread under-dosing of a chemical (e.g. under-estimating the weight of animals being treated, poor application technique, uncalibrated dosing, using understrength chemical wash).
Unintentionally exposing non-target parasites to chemicals (e.g. products to treat tick or lice can also affect worms).
Complete coverage of skin and hair with the chemical treatment.
Cons
Requires significant infrastructure and training.
Chemical concentration of dipping fluid must be maintained.
Ineffective against ticks that are in a moult stage of their lifecycle.
Safety
High risk of inadvertent chemical exposure. Dipping requires an excellent working knowledge and experience with the dipping process. Knowledge and training in safe chemical use is necessary for safety of both animals and workers when operating the dip.
Everyone working in the rural industry has a ‘duty of care’; a legal obligation to provide a safe workplace for everyone on the property.
Other information
How it works
The chemical is carried by the dipping fluid and deposited onto the skin binding on the hair of cattle as they are submerged and swim through the dip (Figure 1). Dip chemicals represent an on-contact kill but do not offer ongoing repellent for the same length of time as other chemicals do. Complete wetting of the animal gives complete skin/hair coverage with the chemical. Incomplete wetting leaves untreated areas where parasites can survive to re-establish the infestation when the chemical wears off.
Dip chemicals are ineffective against ticks that are in a moult stage of their lifecycle as the chemical cannot penetrate the moult shell.
Infrastructure
Dipping infrastructure or facilities are usually permanent structures, frequently built on large cattle farms official cattle farms, official tick clearing facilities and commercial facilities such as saleyards. They are generally unavailable on smaller farms due to the cost of the facility and maintenance of the chemical.
Dips are built to specifications that ensure full submersion of the animal including its head and ears.
A working understanding and experience in management of the dipping process is necessary for correct and safe application of chemical to animals.
Mandatory dipping
Treatment for cattle ticks is mandatory in preparation for movement of cattle into tick free areas. Western Australia, Northern Territory and Queensland have mandatory requirements to prevent the introduction of cattle tick from known tick infested areas to tick free areas. Certification of the dipping procedure for cattle movement across state borders or into tick free areas is required to be done in registered accredited premises with oversight by an inspector or accredited certifier.
In Queensland, movements of cattle into cattle tick free areas can also include on property clearance using an accredited certifier.
Stripping
Some compounds used for dipping are subject to ‘stripping’. This is when the dipping chemical is removed or ‘stripped’ from the dip at a faster rate than dip wash, leaving a lower concentration of active compound to the volume of water.
Labels for products that strip include instructions for reinforcement (adjusting the dip concentration with the addition of a concentrated chemical) and replenishment (topping up the dip with more chemical at the starting concentration) to maintain adequate concentrations of chemical in the dip wash. It is important these terms are understood and the label directions are followed.
Regular dip analysis should be conducted on dips used for cattle tick management or clearance to ensure that chemical levels remain sufficient enough to kill cattle tick. Dip concentrations that are too low will not kill cattle tick and may contribute towards chemical resistance. Dips with concentrations that are too high (hot dips) will also not sufficiently kill cattle tick and can be toxic to livestock.
Figure 1. Cattle dip. Image courtesy of Scott Bauer Wikimedia CC
Insecticidal ear tags for paralysis tick control
Although insecticidal tags are registered primarily for use in the control of buffalo flies, some tags also have claims for activity against some types of lice and for the control of paralysis ticks.
Insecticidal ear tags are moulded plastic tags that are impregnated with insecticide. Insecticide is released slowly onto the surface of the tag by diffusion and the action of grooming spreads the insecticide over the animal.
Chemical actives in fly tags sold in Australia for the control of paralysis ticks are synthetic pyrethroids (SPs). The tags can aid in the control of paralysis tick on suckling beef and dairy calves for up to 42 days.
Two tags should be applied per animal (one in each ear), when tick numbers exceed acceptable levels and calves are at greatest risk.
Ear tags must be removed once the protection period on the label has expired to avoid exposing paralysis ticks and buffalo flies to sub-lethal concentrations of the chemical, which increases selection for resistance.
Tags should be applied to the animals in a similar fashion to an identification tag, between the second and third rib cartilage of the ear taking care not to penetrate the cartilage or any blood vessels. Use purpose-designed applicator pliers, and ensure the tag body is attached on the back of the ear. A new product, PYthon Insecticidal Cattle Strips, which can be attached to existing ear tag studs and doesn’t require insertion of a new tag has also recently been registered in Australia and aids in the control of paralysis tick.
All tags must be removed before cattle are sent for slaughter.
Figure 1. PYthon insecticidal cattle strips (pink) may aid in the control of paralysis tick and can be attached to existing ear tag studs. Image courtesy of Y-TEX.
Spray
Used to treat most ectoparasites including ticks, lice, buffalo flies and occasionally mites.
Some sprays are high volume and require several litres be applied as a full body spray, all over the body for good effect, for example with ticks and lice, whereas others, usually for buffalo flies, may require lower volumes applied along the backline.
Some insecticide spray products come as ready-to-use formulations, but most must be diluted with water before application.
Sprays have the advantage that they give a rapid reduction in pest numbers. However residual effect is usually less than 2-4 weeks and frequent re-applications may be required.
Experienced, careful management is important for effective application.
Follow label instructions and ensure appropriate personal protective equipment is used.
Resistance
A parasite population can develop resistance to a chemical through:
repeated use of the same active.
repeated overuse of a chemical (unnecessary treatments).
wide-spread under-dosing of a chemical (e.g. under-estimating the weight of the animals being treated, poor application technique, uncalibrated dosing equipment).
unintentionally exposing non-target parasites to chemicals (e.g. products to treat tick or lice can also affect worms).
Risk of inadvertent chemical exposure. With hand spraying, close proximity of the operator to the spray wand and treated cattle presents a significant risk from deflected sprays and inhalation of aerosol droplets.
Everyone working in the rural industry has a ‘duty of care’; a legal obligation to provide a safe workplace for everyone on the property.
Other information
How it works
Spraying for parasites can be conducted with handheld sprayers, desirably powered by a fuel or electric pump, or with the use of a spray race where cattle walk through a ‘tunnel’ of spray nozzles strategically mounted to give complete body wetting of treated animals.
Hand spraying and race spraying is generally relatively inexpensive and can be used for opportunistic treatments, when cattle are in yards for other husbandry purposes, or where only low numbers of cattle are to be treated.
Hand spraying
Over-spraying with hand held sprayers may be most suitable in situations where infrastructure such as dips and spray races is not available or where only low numbers of cattle need to be treated.
To ensure that all animals get full coverage cattle should be treated in a race or crush, NOT held in a holding yard and sprayed from a distance.
Hand held spraying offers the advantage of being able to direct sprays to ensure that areas on cattle where parasites persist or are in highest numbers are properly treated.
With lice and ticks, check that all predilection/preferred areas have been treated. In particular, check the tail, rump and escutcheon, under the front shoulder, the udder, ears and under the jaw as well as along the back and flanks to ensure these areas have been thoroughly wetted.
Sprayers must be able to deliver a low-pressure high-volume output and for hand spraying the hand piece should be adjustable to control flow rates dependent on what part of the animal is being treated.
Make sure that there is sufficient pressure to completely saturate the hair coat to skin level. Equipment that sprays a fine mist may only reach the outer layer of coat failing to penetrate to the skin. However, if spray pressure is too high much of the spray bounces off and is wasted and can cause a safety risk for both operators and animals.
As lice eggs are not killed by most sprays, when spraying for lice it may be necessary to repeat the treatment after 2-3 weeks to kill any young lice that hatch from eggs before they are old enough to lay eggs themselves.
Figure 1. Spray race. Image courtesy of Queensland Department of Agriculture and Fisheries,
Spray races
Spray races usually consist a concrete base and metal walls, most commonly in a tunnel configuration, with spray nozzles strategically positioned to give complete body wetting of cattle as they walk through.
The spray mixture is drawn from a sump and forced at pressure through the spray nozzles by means of a pump driven by either a stationary petrol engine, an electric motor or tractor power take-off.
Figure 2. The spray race completely coats the animal as it walks through the race. Image courtesy of Queensland Department of Agriculture and Fisheries.
Pumps that deliver high volumes of wash, operated at relatively low pressure e.g. 140 kpa give best effect. Check some treated animals to ensure that animals are completely wetted, particularly at body sites where the target pest is likely to be in highest numbers.
Control the flow rates of cattle through the race so that they walk, not run and can be effectively wetted, because the dip wash is recycled it is important to minimise the amount of dirt and other foreign material draining back into the sump. This is aided by having concrete feeder yards and entry races to the dip and keeping screens and filters clear. If possible, walk cattle through a footbath before they enter the spray area.
Check spray nozzles frequently so that any that become blocked are quickly identified and cleaned out or replaced.
Spray fluid can become ‘stripped’ of its chemical leading to ‘exhaustion’ of the spray if counter measures are not taken. ‘Stripping’ occurs when chemical is preferentially adsorbed onto the skin and hair coat. This aids the efficiency of the spray, but leads to a progressive drop in concentration of the active chemical in the sump. The use of continuous replenishment, where fresh dip wash (using the starting concentration of chemical) is automatically added to the spray sump, or reinforcement where additional concentrated chemical is added when the level of the sump falls, can counteract the effects of stripping and ensure that all cattle are treated with effective levels of chemical.
Check the product label for directions for ‘reinforcing’, ‘replenishing’, or ‘topping up’ the wash to counter the effects of stripping.
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