Q&A
Q: What is ClariFly® Larvicide?
A: ClariFly® Larvicide is an EPA registered feed additive containing Diflubenzuron†, a larvicide that controls house flies and stable flies in areas populated by confined beef and dairy cattle.
Q: What is the mode of action of ClariFly®?
A: Insects have an external skeleton, an “exoskeleton” made of chitin. The active ingredient in ClariFly®, Diflubenzuron†, targets immature flies by either contact or ingestion, and inhibits the deposition of chitin during molting. Without a functioning exoskeleton, the larvae die before they can become breeding adult flies that can bother your animals.
Q: What species of animals can be fed ClariFly®?
A: ClariFly® Larvicide is labeled for lactating and non-lactating beef and dairy cows, slaughter, stocker and feeder cattle and calves including veal calves.
Q: What is the approved cattle dose?
A: The dosage is proportional to the animal's weight. The recommended dosage for cattle is 0.10 mg/kg of bodyweight per day.
Q: Why can’t ClariFly® be fed to horses, swine and poultry?
A: Although another formulation of Diflubenzuron† is approved for equine use (SimpliFly®), ClariFly® Larvicide is specially formulated for use in cattle, so it is not labeled for use in horses. The active ingredient, Diflubenzuron†, is not approved for use in swine or poultry to control flies. It is a violation of Federal law to use a product for a use that is not on the label.
Q: When should I start feeding ClariFly® – when should I stop?
A: Start feeding ClariFly® early in the spring, 30 days before flies begin to appear, and continue feeding throughout the summer and into the fall, until cold weather restricts fly activity. To minimize the number of over wintering pupae, feed ClariFly® 30 days past first frost.
Q: Since ClariFly® is an EPA registered product, what is the FDA stance on use with other feed additives?
A: The EPA classifies ClariFly® as a pesticide when used in non-medicated feeds. The product can be custom blended per the provisions of 40 CFR 167.3. However, in medicated feeds, no EPA registration is required when the source of Diflubenzuron† is an EPA-registered product. ClariFly® may be used in feed containing any FDA approved drug unless contraindicated by the drug approval or otherwise prohibited by law. In this situation, the medicated feed application requirement is determined by the regulatory status of the drug.
Q: Can I put ClariFly® in my pelleted feed?
A: Yes, Diflubenzuron† has been pelleted in animal feeds at temperatures up to 200° F without noticeable process losses.
Q: How much will it cost per head per day to incorporate ClariFly® into my fly management program?
A: Because the inclusion rate of ClariFly® is dependent on the weight of the animal, the cost per head per day will vary as the animal increases in size. As a general rule, it will cost 4/10 – 5/10 of a cent per hundred pounds of body weight per day. For example, it should cost between 2 and 2.5 cents per day to treat a 500 pound calf.
Q: Since ClariFly® controls larvae feeding on manure from treated cattle, what other measures of fly control should I use?
A: For the best fly control, a complete IPM (Integrated Pest Management) program should be implemented. ClariFly® can be used as an effective tool in any IPM program to reduce on-site fly breeding. Other parts of a good fly IPM program include sanitation (clean up spilled feed, rotting vegetation, old silage, and other fly breeding sources), cultural controls (keep weeds under control, repair leaky waterers, etc.), and use adult fly controls such as traps, sprays, foggers, and scatter baits to control adult flies that may migrate from outside your facility.
Q: Does ClariFly® effect parasitic wasps or dung beetles?
A: ClariFly® does not harm parasitic wasps. Wasps that parasitize fly pupae seek out pupae in the field. The female wasp drills a hole into the pupa and lays eggs inside the pupal case of the fly. As the immature wasps develop, they feed on the fly pupae that is transforming into an adult, killing the fly in the process. Fly larvae in ClariFly® treated manure die before they can form pupae, so the wasps are unaffected. ClariFly® can have a negative impact on dung beetle larvae (but not adults) that feed on manure from treated cattle.
Q: Are there any environmental concerns or any problems if other animals mistakenly eat ClariFly®?
A: Diflubenzuron† is a pesticide that is believed to pose a low risk to human health and the environment. It has the following advantages over existing conventional pesticides:
- Low impact on human health
- Lower toxicity to non-target organisms (birds, fish, plants)
- Low potential for groundwater contamination
- Low use rates
- Low pest resistance potential
- Compatibility with Integrated Pest Management (IPM) practices
The EPA concluded that it is practically non toxic to avian species, small mammals, freshwater and marine fish and bees. However, data does show that Diflubenzuron† is toxic to freshwater and marine aquatic invertebrates.
Q: Should I be concerned about residues in meat or milk? Are there any withdrawal times associated with ClariFly®?
A: The metabolism of Diflubenzuron† in cattle has been extensively studied in beef and dairy cattle. The EPA has established tolerances for milk, animal fat, meat and meat by-products at 0.05 ppm. Metabolism studies in dairy cows showed no detectable levels of Diflubenzuron† residues in milk when dosed for up to 28 days. In studies of beef cattle and dairy cows, only very low levels of Diflubenzuron† (below the meat tolerance) were occasionally seen in liver, kidney, fat and muscle. Therefore, there are no withdrawal requirements when using ClariFly®.
Q: How does ClariFly® compare to organophosphate oral larvicides?
A: Organophosphates (“OP’s”) are a class of insecticides that have been used extensively in the cattle industry across all application methods, including feed through oral larvicides. OP resistance is well documented in many fly populations. Feeding an organophosphate oral larvicide increases the risk of developing OP resistance in a fly population more rapidly. ClariFly® provides an answer for controlling flies in situations where resistant flies are a problem.
Q: Where can I purchase ClariFly® Larvicide?
A: Contact your local feed dealer, or call 1-800-347-8272.
