7 Best Biting Fly Treatments For Dairy Goats Old Farmers Swear By
Protect your dairy goats from biting flies with 7 farmer-approved methods. Explore time-tested natural and topical solutions for a healthy, productive herd.
You hear it before you see it—the frantic stomping of hooves and the agitated flicking of tails in the milking parlor. Biting flies have descended on your dairy goats, turning a peaceful morning routine into a stressful ordeal for everyone involved. A good fly management plan isn’t just about comfort; it’s a critical part of maintaining a healthy, productive, and happy herd.
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Why Biting Flies Are More Than Just a Nuisance
The constant harassment from biting flies isn’t just annoying; it directly impacts your bottom line. A goat that’s busy stomping, shaking its head, and running from flies is burning energy that should be going into milk production. You’ll see a noticeable drop in the milk pail when fly pressure is high because stressed animals simply don’t produce as well.
Beyond milk loss, flies are vectors for disease. They can transmit pinkeye from one animal to another in the blink of an eye. Severe infestations, especially from horn flies or stable flies that take blood meals, can lead to anemia, weight loss, and general unthriftiness.
The bites themselves can cause open sores, which are magnets for secondary bacterial infections. A small bite can quickly become a painful abscess if not managed. Ultimately, a herd under constant fly attack is a stressed herd, and stress suppresses the immune system, making your goats more vulnerable to a host of other health issues.
Absorbine UltraShield EX for Full-Body Spraying
When you’re facing a heavy fly load, you need something that works fast and provides broad coverage. Absorbine UltraShield EX is a go-to for many farmers because it’s a powerful, multi-species insecticide and repellent. It doesn’t just deter flies; it kills them on contact, along with mosquitoes, gnats, and ticks.
Application is straightforward—a quick spray-down before turning the goats out to pasture can provide immediate relief. A light misting is all that’s needed, but be careful to avoid spraying directly into their face or near the udder. I usually spray it onto a soft cloth and wipe it carefully around their face and ears, staying well away from the eyes and mouth.
The main tradeoff here is that it’s a chemical-based product, containing permethrin. This makes it unsuitable for certified organic operations. While effective, its protection diminishes with rain and sweat, so reapplication is necessary, typically every few days during peak season. Think of it as your first line of heavy defense when the flies are overwhelming.
Ultra Boss Pour-On for Long-Lasting Protection
For those who need longer-lasting control and have less time for daily spraying, a pour-on insecticide like Ultra Boss is a solid choice. This product is applied in a single, concentrated line down the goat’s back. The formula is absorbed through the skin and spreads through the natural oils, providing protection that can last for several weeks.
The key to using a pour-on is accurate dosing. You must dose based on the animal’s weight, as under-dosing will be ineffective and over-dosing can be harmful. Use a scale or weight tape; don’t just guess. This is a potent product designed for livestock, and precision is paramount.
Because it’s a systemic insecticide, you absolutely must pay attention to the manufacturer’s instructions regarding milk withdrawal times. For dairy animals, this is a non-negotiable part of using the product safely. The long-term protection is a huge time-saver, but it requires careful planning around your milking schedule and record-keeping.
Swat Ointment for Sensitive Areas like Ears
Some areas on a goat are just too sensitive for sprays or pour-ons. That’s where Swat Ointment comes in. This thick, pink (or clear) ointment is designed for spot treatment on delicate areas like the ears, around the eyes, and on the belly. It’s particularly effective against face flies and black flies that love to bite the thin skin inside the ears.
Swat works in two ways: it contains a repellent to drive flies away, and its sticky consistency creates a physical barrier that prevents them from landing and biting. It’s also excellent for applying around a wound or cut. This keeps flies from being attracted to the injury and potentially laying eggs, which can lead to a maggot infestation known as flystrike.
This isn’t a whole-body solution; it’s a specialized tool for a specific job. A small tub lasts a long time because you only use a dab at a time. It’s an essential part of a complete fly control kit, protecting the vulnerable spots that broad-spectrum treatments can miss.
Rescue! Big Bag Fly Trap for Pasture Management
Treating your goats is only half the battle. If you don’t address the fly population in their environment, you’ll be fighting an endless, uphill battle. The Rescue! Big Bag Fly Trap is a simple, non-toxic way to reduce the number of flies on your property dramatically.
These traps use a powerful, water-activated attractant that flies find irresistible. They fly into the bag through the yellow top and can’t get out. The results are both disgusting and incredibly satisfying—a single trap can catch thousands of flies in a matter of days.
The most important rule for these traps is placement. The attractant stinks, so hang them downwind and at least 30-50 feet away from your barn, house, or any outdoor living areas. By drawing flies away from your animals and trapping them, you lower the overall fly pressure, making your on-animal treatments far more effective. It’s a classic "divide and conquer" strategy.
Diatomaceous Earth as a Natural Dusting Powder
Get 4lbs of HARRIS Food Grade Diatomaceous Earth, a natural product with no additives, OMRI listed for organic use. Includes a powder duster for easy application.
For those looking for a non-chemical approach, food-grade Diatomaceous Earth (DE) is a time-tested option. DE is not a poison; it’s the fossilized remains of tiny aquatic organisms. On a microscopic level, these particles are very sharp and abrasive.
When a fly or other insect with an exoskeleton comes into contact with DE, the sharp particles scratch through their waxy outer layer. This causes them to dehydrate and die. It’s a mechanical method of control, not a chemical one, so insects can’t build up a resistance to it.
You can apply it by dusting it lightly over your goats’ backs or adding it to their favorite dusty spot for a self-serve dust bath. It’s also excellent for dusting into barn bedding to kill fly larvae. The main drawbacks are that it must be reapplied after rain, and you must use food-grade DE to ensure it’s safe if ingested. Be careful not to create large clouds of dust during application, as inhaling it can be irritating to the lungs of both you and your animals.
Homemade ACV and Essential Oil Fly Repellent
If you’re committed to a DIY and all-natural approach, a homemade fly spray with an Apple Cider Vinegar (ACV) base is a popular choice. The principle is simple: the strong scent of the vinegar helps to mask the natural smell of the goat, making them less attractive to flies.
A basic recipe involves mixing raw ACV with water (often a 50/50 ratio) in a spray bottle and adding a few drops of fly-repelling essential oils.
- Citronella
- Peppermint
- Lavender
- Eucalyptus
- Cedarwood
This approach is a repellent, not an insecticide—it won’t kill flies. Its effectiveness is also short-lived. You’ll need to apply it at least once a day, and likely before both morning and evening milkings during peak fly season. It’s a great option for those with low fly pressure or a small herd, but it requires a consistent time commitment that might not be realistic for everyone.
Y-Tex GardStar Dust for Bedding and Barn Areas
Just like with fly traps, controlling flies in the barn is crucial for breaking their life cycle. Y-Tex GardStar Dust is a permethrin-based insecticidal dust designed specifically for application in livestock housing. It targets the places where flies rest and breed, killing both adult flies and their larvae.
You can apply the dust using a shaker can or a hand duster. Lightly coat bedding (especially in corners and along walls), the floor of loafing sheds, and any other areas where manure and moisture accumulate. This creates a long-lasting barrier that kills flies that land on the treated surfaces.
Using a premise treatment like GardStar is a cornerstone of an integrated pest management plan. When you combine effective on-animal treatments with environmental controls like traps and dust, you attack the problem from all angles. This reduces the overall fly population and makes life significantly more comfortable for your goats.
Ultimately, there is no single magic bullet for biting fly control. The most effective strategy is always a multi-pronged approach that combines on-animal treatments with environmental management. By layering different methods—from pour-ons and ointments to traps and dusts—you can create a comprehensive defense that keeps your dairy goats healthy, calm, and productive all season long.
