Fly control is a constant battle for many livestock operations, especially when it comes to animal welfare and employee comfort. CTA Pork faced this challenge firsthand, struggling for years with frustratingly inconsistent fly control. Their recent trial with ClariFly^® Larvicide, led by Central Life Sciences, offers valuable lessons for producers battling similar fly issues.

The Fly Challenge at CTA Pork

For many years, CTA Pork struggled with intermittent and sporadic fly infestations that made effective control difficult. “They fought fly infestations for many, many years before they decided to go on ClariFly Larvicide in this trial,” explains Gene Spellman, Regional Sales Manager at Central Life Sciences. “It was very frustrating to control flies. Their performance and the results that they would see were inconsistent.”

This is a common scenario for many livestock operations where traditional methods often fall short of sustainable, long-term control.

Understanding the ClariFly^® Approach

ClariFly^® Larvicide is a feed-through that prevents flies from developing in the manure of treated animals. Unlike conventional insecticides that attack the nervous system of insects through direct toxicity, ClariFly^® Larvicide works by interrupting the flies’ life cycles, preventing them from maturing.

Results: The Importance of Patience

“In this trial, we saw a reduction initially of about 27% through week two,” Gene reports. “But understanding the life cycle of the fly, it took about three to four weeks before we saw the large reduction in fly populations. So in weeks four and five, we saw over a 90% reduction in fly counts from the previous weeks.”

Employees began to notice the difference around the one-month mark. “Employees will really notice the reduction after you implement ClariFly Larvicide in the fourth, fifth, and sixth time frames,” Gene emphasizes.

Monitoring Success with Sticky Traps

To objectively track progress, sticky traps were placed strategically in the barns. These traps captured flies weekly, offering a clear visual measure of the population.

“We hang them for one week in these trials, then replace them with fresh ones,” says Gene. “There’s no more powerful visual than a yellow sticky trap covered and looks black with flies in weeks one and two, and it comes out yellow and clean in weeks five and six.”

This clear evidence helped build trust and confidence in the product among CTA Pork’s staff and management.

Positive Impact on Staff and Swine

Reduced fly populations improved working conditions dramatically. “Employees are amazed. They love coming to work in an environment where they’re not suffering from flies every day,” Gene shares. This kind of improvement can boost morale and productivity.

There were also positive signs for the pigs themselves. “We’ve had reports that the improved comfort and working environment for the pigs is a benefit of a ClariFly Larvicide program. They notice that their sows don’t have as many pest avoidance movements, shaking of the heads, or movements to keep pests off.”

CTA Pork’s successful trial with ClariFly^® Larvicide underscores the importance of a strategic, patient approach to fly control. ClariFly^® Larvicide will not directly affect swine health or production, but it will take care of the nuisance flies that do. Flies cause physical and emotional stress on pigs, reducing weight gain and overall health. Protecting your swine from disease-carrying flies will require a comprehensive effort designed to attack the pests both above and below the slats on your operation.