Maggots on a farm aren’t just unpleasant – they’re dangerous. Wriggling in bedding, hiding in coops or, worse, affecting your animals directly, maggots can very quickly turn from a nuisance into a serious, perhaps fatal, problem. In this guide, we’ll help you spot the signs early, deal with an infestation fast with the right insecticides and, most importantly, prevent it from happening in the first place.
How do you know if you have a maggot infestation?
There are several signs that show you may have a maggot infestation on your farm.
One is a strong, foul odour coming from a specific location. Of course, farms aren’t often the sweetest smelling of places, so this is mostly relevant when the odour comes from somewhere that doesn’t typically smell, or when it is a different type of smell. For example, if your chicken coop smells of rot instead of the usual coop smell, there may be a maggot problem.
Another sign of maggots is animals in distress. If you’ve noticed a change in behaviour, especially negative changes such as stress or loss of appetite, check for maggots and flies.
A more common and reliable sign of maggots is adult flies. If you notice far more flies than usual, particularly around animal housing and the animals themselves, chances are you have an infestation that requires immediate action.
The biggest tell of maggots is actually seeing the larvae. You may spot small, moving white or grey maggots on animals, particularly on wounds, in moist or dirty areas, or around their rear. Sheep are especially vulnerable to flystrike due to their thick wool that can easily get dirty and wet. Look out for new patches of blackened fleece, wool falling out, restless behaviour, and a need for shade.
You may also find them in food sources, bedding, waste, or the ground around water supplies.
Can maggots harm animals?
Yes, maggots can cause a serious amount of harm to farm animals, which can be fatal.
Flystrike, or myiasis, is the name given to the incredibly painful condition where maggots feast on an animal’s flesh. This parasitic infestation happens when flies lay eggs on or in animals or very close by. Those eggs hatch quickly into larvae, which feed on the skin of the animals, causing damage and eventual infection. Once infected, the toxins may be absorbed into the bloodstream, causing further damage that could be fatal.
What to do if an animal has maggots
If you spot maggots on your livestock, the first thing to do is call in a veterinary service. Prompt attention and medication can prevent further pain and damage, and even save the animal’s life.
Do not attempt to remove the maggots yourself, as you may harm the animal further. If you spot an animal with a wound that is free of maggots or flies, keep it clean and check it regularly. For sheep, keep a regular twice-yearly shearing schedule.
How to get rid of maggots in chicken coops and animal housing
You’ll need high-quality insecticides to clear the area of larvae and flies. Use a product like Larvenol Larvicide spread over muck or under straw bedding – its active ingredient, S-Methoprene, is eaten by the maggots and stops them from maturing into flies, ending the cycle. This product lasts for up to 8 weeks, making it incredibly long-lasting.
Another recommendation of ours is the highly effective larvicide, Maggots. Named for what it eliminates, this product can either be scattered dry or diluted in water and sprayed in pig and poultry housing. With Cyromazine, Maggots targets and attacks the fly’s lifecycle, preventing any flies from maturing.
Catch flies before they enter your livestock housing with well-placed fly traps. The ever-popular Red Top Fly Catcher is a fantastic solution for trapping flies, preventing them from laying eggs in the first place.
While keeping housing and animals clean will do most of the job of preventing maggots and flies, a strong, top-quality insecticide and fly traps are a sure way to prevent and kill these harmful parasites.
How can you prevent maggots?
Prevention is preferable over treatment so that no harm is caused to the animals in the first place. Plus, dealing with maggots as humans is never pleasant, either. Here are our tips for preventing an infestation from starting:
- Keep your animals clean and ensure they have shelter to stay dry.
- For sheep and other animals with long fur or wool, shear them at least twice a year.
- Use insecticides to keep animal housing clear of flies before they can lay eggs.
Larvicides from AFS Supplies
Maggots and flies are a real threat to animal welfare and farm hygiene. By keeping livestock housing clean, using trusted larvicides recommended by experts such as the team here at AFS Supplies, and staying alert to the early signs of flystrike, you’ll protect your animals and stop maggots in their tracks. Prevention is the best cure, and with the right products and practices, your farm can stay fly-free.
For more advice and product recommendations, don’t hesitate to get in touch. Call us today on 01842 765 634 or email us at sales@afssupplies.co.uk.
