Cattle tags for flies?

[TrialNerror]

My run floods pretty frequently (digging a trench today to help) and it is causing quite the large number of flies. A friend suggested getting some of the tags for cows and hanging them at the top of the run. Anyone ever tried this? I have tried Googling but haven't had any luck.

 

[Muscovy Wunda]

I'm not sure about hanging them up high, but we attach them to the working dogs (sheep dogs) collars and it works a treat. I was always under the impression they had to be in contact with the skin to work properly but I could be wrong

 

[Meg-in-MT]

I think you'd be far better off upgrading your run than using the ear tags. The insecticide on those is pretty gnarly stuff. When we tag our cows we're pretty careful to not touch them and to wash well if we happen to. Do you have a picture of your run? If you'd like to share, I'm sure you can get a lot of great ideas on how to fix it. Or at least help it out!

 

[Meg-in-MT]

Not to mention, those ear tags are kind of spendy.

 

[aart]

The insecticide on those is pretty gnarly stuff.

What is on/in them?

 

[Meg-in-MT]

What is on/in them?

There are quite a few different kinds, but I believe the main ingredient on the ones we used this year was diazinon.

 

[Meg-in-MT]

These aren't the exact ones we used, but they all basically have the same warning label:
https://valleyvet.cvpservice.com/product/view/basic/1040154

 

[aart]

There are quite a few different kinds, but I believe the main ingredient on the ones we used this year was diazinon.

How does it work, does chemical distribute over their skin or tags on both ears just to protect ears...or...?
Sorry for all the Q's... just curious.

 

[Meg-in-MT]

How does it work, does chemical distribute over their skin or tags on both ears just to protect ears...or...?
Sorry for all the Q's... just curious.

No problem at all. We place them so they lay against the back of the ear. From what I understood they needed to be in contact for full effectiveness and to keep the bugs/flies away from them. First year using them and haven't had much for flies anyway, but they seemed to be doing their job. Seems to me it protects the whole cow, I assume it distributes a bit, but it's just wicked enough the flies stay away. Definitely not an expert on it, hah.

 

[trudyg]

I use vanilla scented 'trees' that you get for your cars, hang them all around the coop. Flies don't like them.