A Guide to Cattle Fly Control Methods and Our Plan for this Year

[@RandyBoBandy9498]

I watch Pete more than TV 😂

[@Mclovin21983]

What tv?

[@FarmallFanatic]

@@Mclovin21983 exactly

[@kamishi-ww5ug]

Me too!!

[@CaribouOrange]

I don't own a TV

[@moss_family_farms]

Same

[@michaeld_68]

Nobody should criticize you for wanting your cows to be as comfortable as possible. We know you love your animals and only have their best interest at heart . You're great people !!!

[@Kenny-km8rc]

Good luck Pete. It’s a constant battle with predators and insects. Nothing worse than an outbreak of pinkeye. Controlling flies is a must.

[@tomhickman1006]

We use evaporated milk, injected under the skin subcutaneous. Snaps them out of pinkeye quickly.

[@r.hill.2369]

If only more people thought and acted as such. Thanks Pete.

[@cranefly23]

I am something of an amateur/hobbyist entomologist. Not to downgrade any of your other videos, I found this one particularly fascinating. There’s a lot more to this problem and possible solutions than I realised. I’m not a farmer - nor will I ever be - but your videos are, IMHO, up there amongst the most interesting on KZbin. Best wishes, Pete.

[@nancysmith-baker1813]

Really good education film . And it shows how much you care for your cows and land . Thank you .

[@stubito6526]

You lead yourself around, like most of us do, to do the right thing. Thanks

[@Lady_of_Ishpeming]

I think moving and covering the compost pile will be a big help. Looking forward to see how things work out!

[@vmdairy]

In almost 40 years of dairy cattle farming I, too, tried almost everything. For the most part we tried to keep the premises(free stall barn) as clean as possible and we used a pour on because we were putting the cows through a chute for other reasons; vaccinations, preg checks, health reasons. One of our key areas of concern was keeping the eating areas clean as this was always the highest concentration of insect larvae.

[@allenmiller64]

Hi Pete. I agree diesel or kerosene are no longer the way to go plus they evaporate more quickly than mineral oil so economy of scale mineral oil not as expensive as it seems to last longer. We use food grade mineral oil but different than the pymethrin instructions. Try 1 gallon mineral oil to 4 gallons water 8 oz permethrin and 1/4 cup dawn dish soap. Mix well. The dawn will act as an emulsifier and give a better bond to the water and oil making it last longer. In past we tried canola and soybean oil which works too but the cows tended to like the taste and licked themselves too much. We did find that adding 1/2 cup of dawn would stop them licking though but we still decided to switch back to mineral oil. Anyway good luck! Allen

[@bmpatrick]

Do you have any issue with the water, oil and soap mixture evaporating? How long till you need to soak the rub again? About to hang mine and do not wanna use any toxic ingredients. Going to use food grade mineral oil. I only have 6 dexters

[@Matt-mq1ep]

Pete you have done your homework! But remember, this is your farm. It doesn't matter what the viewers think. There will always be a few complainers in the bunch. Love your channel, can't wait to see how it progresses and your after thoughts. I've debated if this would help on our family's farm.

[@Luckingsworth]

It sure matters what people think when you are trying to sell the product! At some level of compromise a customer base paying $$ for the higher quality wont amymore because you are no different than big cattle. This is definitely not that point, just wanted to point out the dangerous fallacy in your way of thinking.

[@dwaynekoblitz6032]

Had a terrible day today actually. But just at work. Seeing the neighbors cattle and watching you talk about flies is a great start to the rest of my day. DIE FLIES!!

[@michiganhay7844]

One of the best synopsis I’ve seen thank you

[@JoeGraves24]

Yes, fly control is where it’s at. A happy cow is a productive cow

[@michatheresiaprimus9972]

If only half as many people as you, Pete, thought so much about problem solving!

[@beckyrobinson5672]

Pete don't worry you and Hillary are the best at what youns do.keep up the good job. God bless.

[@sgrvtl7183]

It is so easy to listen to you Pete! Interesting clip, good luck with the rubbing bar 🤞🌻🦋

[@everetthutchinson6413]

Thank you for trusting us!

[@stevendufresne9994]

Thanks for the Caring Video Pete!!👍👍

[@nathanokken3565]

I’m waging a war on flies this year myself. Love the type of content you’ve been putting out lately. Very helpful in our farm being just two hours from you.

[@sroberts605]

Which method(s) are you going for?

[@dphinarthur-bm1pp]

I have tied strips of cloth about 2-3' long to the back rub. The permethrin wicks down the strips allowing it to get on the cattle's faces and sides. That has worked very well for us.

[@theresahansell3507]

I really like your solution that you came up with. Further way further away and tarp.

[@KarelRode]

A transparent farmer! Pete, you do what you gotta do. In the end, I still believe you are a great animal husband and career. We just have to look at how the raccoon loss in the chicken tractor affected you both to know that you guys live for the farm and the animals.

[@rogernation2551]

Ya, that was brutal, 40 in one night.

[@chakra4735]

I agree with your approach. The most important thing you have done is identify your specific fly species. Many "experts" skip this step.

[@jeanettefrancisco6990]

Pete you are a good steward of the land and your livestock. Your concern shows in all you do.

[@bjpm562]

Ahh Pete I see the concern on your face for the cattle. I know you care about them. I hope this works. I wish you and everyone here a great week.

[@scrappyquilter102]

It is really quite remarkable for you to so openly share your dilemma and your struggle to find a solution. No doubt there will be more options coming along in the future and I hope they do not leave you so torn between the environmental concern, the concern for the welfare of the cattle, and the financial concerns. Pete you have great courage and honesty to share this with us. I hope this works for this year and look forward to seeing the results.

[@lynnsweeney4529]

Good morning Pete & Hillary. As always love watching each and every video you put out. Well being a person who has never farmed (small home gardens and a few backyard chickens), I love that you take the time to show and explain the different methods you use on your farm for your animals. Thank you for taking time out of your busy day to share your videos and have a great day.😊

[@mikerussell701]

We have used the parasitic flies for years and believe there is a value there. HOWEVER, we are talking about 5 acres and less of a load then what you may be facing. I appreciate your videos as I believe they are always very well thought out and your presentation is clear and down to earth. I have thought of using the back rubs, but never realized that diesel fuel is the common carrier. Thank you for sharing!

[@daniel385]

Good luck with this solution and I look forward to updates.

[@LGessner]

Oh, Pete, I felt your pain at what you feel is your best control of flies. I also saw your addendum where you just couldn't sustain the diesel fuel and elect to use mineral oil regardless of price. The program was an appraisal of methods and I enjoyed your logical endeavor and your eventual decision. Whether farming or life in general, there are compromises. Thank you for including us in your decision making.

[@danieleaton9078]

We have only half a dozen head of cattle, Jerseys, and have lots of flies, too. We have put 6 or so old hens in the barn area with the cattle to do fly control. They have to be doing some good though don't know how much. And it's fun to have the hens loose with the cattle. We even get a couple eggs a day from them! When we started, the cattle were afraid of the hens! Very funny to watch.

[@chrisbrackett9779]

11:16 at the Hereford Beef Farm I worked at years ago we used 2 back rubs for fly control. It worked really well, we didn’t have many flies at all. Actually the owner used to have parties at the farm in the barn with the cattle, never had a fly problem.

[@duanemoore-6553]

I have a small farm in Ohio and I know what you’re talking about. It’s flies is Annette in a double bowl and a nun you can do just do the best you can that’s all you’re doing. Keep up the good work.

[@bonniedunkin-brady9358]

I could watch your videos all day long. It makes me miss growing up on the farm.. makes me feel like I'm right there

[@farmertylerranch4399]

Really an excellent video Pete! I’ve been thinking of trying the back rubs too

[@mrmiked48]

Pete, good luck with your "FLY" situation. I would suggest going to Syracuse University and recruit an intern ( no cost to you ) for a study in "Fly Abatement". Hand them a flyswatter and a tally sheet. Everyday they record the numbers and at the end of the "Study", you will have fewer flies, the school will have a valuable data for the scientist and at least one college student will learn a valuable lesson. Good Luck, Mike from Michigan

[@mr.goldenrod291]

Learn more about farming with Pete than any other YT channel. Your analysis is perfect of the realities of pest management. No single solution is 100% effective, thus why it’s called Integrated Pest Management.

[@afarmlife]

Well Pete if you see this message at some point, I'm right there with you. We've done so many things to battle Fly's and who knows if we reduced any, they weren't gone! One thing I'd do again and I heard you touch on it is using chickens. We had better luck with that and we used to have a dedicated flock that we ran with cattle. 1 bird/2cattle. We just had an area set up for there roost in each pasture. We didn't feed them until winter and it worked out well. I'd give it a thought and don't worry about that mop grazing and moving fence.

[@louievdo7631]

Another great video very informative and you are a good instructor on how to look after your animals thank you and you have a good day too

[@devinnator16]

Hi Pete! I really respect your decision making process it's very thoughtful, careful and scientific. Good stuff thank you.

[@chrismedaris4873]

Your fine do what u think u need to do still watching 😊

[@Vagabond1975]

Anyone who has watched any of your videos knows you care for your animals and have their best interest in mind when you take care of them. Those that would try and shame you for experimenting or testing different solutions to better your animals lives are ignorant of what it really takes to properly manage a farm/homestead. I really appreciate all your effort and work you put into teaching us through your videos and bringing us along for the ride of your daily life. Thanks for all your hard work! There are Many of us that would give up our daily grind to become the same type of rancher as you are.

[@cybersylo5786]

All of these seem like very sound solutions. Have you ever thought about getting large round bristle brushes so the cows can scratch any flies on their sides and faces?

[@SeattlePioneer]

one of the commercial manufacturers ought to be willing to provide one to Pete to publicize the results....

[@michaelousley4133]

I love to watch your show Pete. Been going over this same issue got the fly catch bottles hanging around the water and it hasn’t really done much. So I’m going to mix up some permethrin in a gallon sprayer see if it fits my needs. I’ll run them through my alley and spray them down. Keep up the good work me and my family love to watch and learn.

[@garypavlosky5256]

First notification I click on! Thanks Pete 😂👍

[@johnsandell4501]

Great explanation! Wish you successes.

[@gkiferonhs]

Something that is fun to watch and can make your evenings on the patio, etc. more pleasant is to set up a bat house or two. Easily done, no real maintenance, fun to watch the bats fly after bugs in the yard lights, and bats eat their weight in mosquitoes every day.

[@michaelfreehling1914]

I'm ok with your decision Pete cause you and Hilary took the time to investigate multiple options. Thanks for the video. And go go go mighty fly killer.

[@HWPasturesLLC]

You’re doing a great job, Pete, and you have to do what works for you. I always learn from your videos. Whether people agree or not, it is clear that you have put a lot of care and thought into your decisions and I praise you for that. We, too, have used permethrin solutions to aid in fly control, but only when our traps, tree swallow houses, and bat boxes can’t keep up. I.E., it’s a last resort. Also, perhaps moving your hay/manure compost pile into the chicken yard as opposed to tarp cover would be beneficial.

[@dr.gretachen1988]

This video is just perfect for a non-farmer. I learned a great deal and understand your decision on how you will institute a no-fly zone on your farm. Thank you, and good luck for a fly free summer.

[@tbassin99]

Pete if you encounter complainers about your fly method send them my way.. You dont need to worry about the complainers.. You are a good person ! I just wish this country had more people like you rather than a bunch of complainers. Wish you the best

[@blueovaltrucker]

What you said about attacking the flies with a little harsher hand early on makes sense to me. If you can break their cycle of reproducing somehow it's bound to be a bigger benefit later. Something my grandad had for his cows was a large stiff bristled brush he had mounted in the barn and another in the shady spot out in their pasture. They lasted a long time and all his cattle were crazy for them. They loved rubbing their heads and backs all over them. I think the bristles were even replaceable too.

[@boat6868]

I have seen some of them on a couple dairy farm youtube channels...you are right, they do really enjoy them.

[@paulsmith4320]

If this is an option, go to your local DPW or a street sweeping company and get worn out sweeper brooms. They can come in long flat sections and would last forever.

[@lynnembick431]

I think your doing a great job! I love your videos

[@49er61]

Pete I have heard for every fly you kill a thousand comes to his funeral lol great video as always

[@nickwiseman7770]

I’m glad you went with the mineral oil instead idk it’s something about diesel fuel just seems wrong? Your doing all the right things that work for you and your farm and that’s what great about farming every farm is different. Keep up the good work Pete. You and hill are doing a fantastic job doing what you’re doing no judgment here!

[@nathanisenhour4420]

And it's fly time !!

[@jeffgardenier609]

Thanks Pete, there are a few things that I do struggle with raising sheep and cattle. Flies, tick and chiggers control is one of those things. I know that it is an irritant for them. I like your approach to this irritant. Ultimately we all have to make the best decision for our situation.

[@gullreefclub]

Just a fyi you can check an area for chiggers by placing small 4 to 6 inch squares of black vinyl tile on the ground and leave them there for about 1 minute and then inspect them to see if you see tiny red dots moving around on them. Chiggers aka Red Bugs are attracted to black pieces of vinyl because they think it is the shadow of an animal passing by and will jump on it so it can burrow into the skin and get a meal which is why you need to check the pieces of tile fairly quickly otherwise they will jump off once they realize there is nothing there to attach themselves to. Additionally wearing light colored boots and pants sprayed with DEET insect spray will help to keep them off you. Additionally Chiggers do not spread themselves out on a piece of ground evenly. The US Military has spent a great deal of money issuing grants for research studies in an attempt to determine why a stretch of beach/ plot of land will be infested with them but 100 yards away will have none or almost none. The first military studies of Chiggers had Privates walk to a spot with their boots bloused and stand there and walk back to the researchers so they could count the number of Chiggers on their boots and later the number “bites” the pPrivate had on his body(that to me is the definition of an absolutely sucky job) And to my knowledge no one has come up with a reason why Chiggers or Ticks concentrate to one area especially if there is no trail or paths for animals and people to walk and or follow.

[@colettenewell4634]

Oh my you should not be so worried about any concerns your viewers have. No one has put more thought into the best way to control flies so that your cattle are happy and healthy and your workload is not increased exponentially than you just went through for us. I hope the methods you chose have the desired results.

[@MrSpinnerbug]

Hi Pete, not sure what will work, but I agree with you, I don’t like using diesel fuel near cows and would try mineral oil. At least it can’t hurt the cows in any way! I watch your great videos in the am and it motivates me for the day! Sorry you lost your flock of chicks the other day.

[@robinellis525]

I’m betting that moving and covering your pile will give you the best results. Good luck Pete can’t wait to see how it goes.

[@Rowdymotmot]

I think your ideas are very good and you have thought them through. It is hard to decide the best course for your farm and your animals. Thanks for sharing this information.

[@loughman2629]

Hi Pete, I know how busy you are, but if you get a half hour free, Google The "Australian Dung Beetle Project.." It's an interesting read about how Australian scientists helped to partially solve, a unique cattle dung problem we had in Australia.....Native Dung beetles evolved to utilise marsupial droppings, and were unable to breed in the massive amounts of bovine poop, lying all around Australia, providing an ideal breeding environment for billions of flies!! As always, my wife and I love watching your vlogs, Pete, but 😉 ummm, maybe, a few more Dad jokes!!

[@captnsquid8151]

What comes after Thursday? Flyday! Good luck Pete

[@dandan8333]

No worry... at a young age I fell off our 3rd story roof on the barn to the 1st floor roof. Lol 30 + years later, I went onto my new house roof... it took me 4+ hours to transverse to the ladder 1 story up! Crazy fears. The next week, I went to work for Time Warner doing line work ; 32 ft + in the air. Twelve years later , I was retired at 63 yo. In Alaska there isn't any room for fears except where that bear is coming at you! Armadillos do have advantages. Have a great week.

[@alexanderross2786]

Would used fryer oil work?

[@stevehowe1792]

Pete, you do you and let everyone else pound sand.

[@highdesertbill]

needed video Pete. Thanks

[@kennethbailey2616]

We’ve always used cattle oilers on our beef herd.

[@mustanglady7843]

Life is always about trying to achieve a balance in what we do. Perfection does not exist in the real world. You can only do your best and I believe that is your heart. Good luck as you wage war with the flys.

[@jacobforrester9827]

You get oil, diesel, and such on you all the time, Pete. You're still normal... well... healthy.

[@nancyholler8196]

Pete, you are doing your best, for the cows & your customers. Carry on....

[@Kelikaku]

Came here from the Gold Shaw Farm channel. Subscribed. Thanks for the content. Keep up the good work. בס'ד

[@365hillclimb]

I really appreciate seeing the more challenging aspects that you have to find solutions for.

[@claudeortega8289]

Thank you for sharing.

[@3069mark]

I can always tell how interesting something is by how fast time goes by during it, and time flew by during this video and it was over before I knew it. The funny thing is that when it began I thought "Oh no. This is going to be boring.", but it turned out to be one of the most interesting videos you have made, Pete. You have a knack for teaching, Pete. You can take any subject and make it interesting. I just want to thank you for all your hard work in doing these videos and for all the work you do on your farm. Take care and God Bless, Pete!

[@jackaffleck427]

A tough decision for you and Hillary. Fly control. I agree with your choice of methods !

[@jammin4372]

Pete, I love your channel. Thanks for sharing your thoughts on this. It is a struggle to balance all the factors, and each person's operation will be different. I look forward to hearing how this works out for your herd.

[@williambradley8018]

Good morning Pete. I very much enjoy a straight forward intelligent breakdown of any problem. I was raiised in the days of strong pesticides.

[@carsonfurci9478]

Goldshaw farm already fixed his fly issue. You should check that out. Great video and great solution!

[@Murdocmiena]

We have to do fly Maintenance. We dip every week, plus fly traps, I love the whole rope idea you have going there. We have to kill the flies, the flies in South Africa started carrying a disease called Lumpy sickness.

[@voltronyay]

You're doing the right thing for your herd. The negative impact, while real, is far less than the potential positive

[@mechmany2k]

You have to do what is in the best interest of your animals, farm and yourselves, compromise is just going to happen. 🙂

[@rupertp647]

Hey Pete love the channel. When you move your manure pile how about fencing it in and letting some chickens live on or near it for the summer? They could eat the flys and maybe you raise a few extra chickens? Just a friendly idea. I’m excited to see the future of the pigs.

[@markstrout3198]

You’re doing what you think is best and what you think is right. You’re doing this on your farm these are your decisions. Don’t worry about what people in KZbin thing

[@opendstudio7141]

In my youth, the ranchers in East Texas used thick crude oil - sometimes thinned with coal oil for the cattle back rubs. Coal oil (called lamp oil sometimes), still available in 50's-'60's, was used medicinally for both people and animals.

[@howardwhitney9314]

You know, you then do the best you can. No one can ask for more. With commodity prices what they are this year I’m struggling with what to do next year with our 55 acres. We just do the best we can and hope for the best. I’m leaning towards alfalfa and grass for 2024..

[@firemanj35]

Pete, when you're concerned it tels me you have already put considerable time, research, and thought it you're decisions. I know that you will really look for the best results with the lowest impact on your animals. Keeping them at their healthiest is always your prime concern. That is one of the best things about your content. Keeping your farm, animals, and family ( including your farmers' market family) not in that particular order. But keeping everyone safe and healthy, thanks for being you. And setting a great example, others can model

[@randythomas5401]

Take a 5 gal. bucket 1 or 2 cans of fruit cocktail a quart of water 1 piece of lunch meat 1 tablespoon of Dawn and 1/8 cup of sugar, make cone shaped screen to fit on top of buckets it works great tried it on a dairy in California got three full bucket's of flies with ant's and yellow jackets that's what the luncheon meats for and it's safe for honey bees

[@JerrsAerialPhotographyVlogs]

Good Morning Pete! I always really enjoy watching your new video before I head off to work for the day each morning your post it! :) I also grew up on a small family farm (Beef Cattle - 60-90 Head) and still enjoy working on the farm. My favorite thing to do is hay-making season when I go and mow the hay with a haybine (almost the same as yours) and a raker and 5x6 round baler. Sometimes I use the 5x6 round baler, sometimes i use the 4x4 round baler. Also I have a small square baler that I use to get the best hay for the 2 horses my sister has. Hope you have a great day! We also have lots of flys on our cattle each year! But we just do nothing...thats the way its been for YEARS and nothing ever hurt anything. One year we tried the ear tags. They worked decently but we only used them for two years and stopped. Keep up the great content and I will be looking forarwad to watching your next video! Off to work I go! I own my own lawn & landscaping company. I really enjoy it! :)

[@Marionpm1]

We all know from watching you and Hillary that you both will decide to do what's best for the animals. I respect 🙏 🫡 what you need to do!! Blessings 🙌 Marion

[@cigarsboozeandnews9726]

You do whatever you see fit Pete. You could have not made this video and no one would know and that speaks volumes about you and your operation. I wouldn’t be farming if it weren’t for you and your honesty. Head up and farm on!!

[@frankrizzo3915]

Pete did you catch anymore raccon's?

[@alanvaleandthelazyfarmer1930]

Hi Pete, you haven't mentioned dung beetles. Perhaps it's too cold there but we introduced the Spanish Dung Beetle to the southwest of Western Australia in the early 1980's and have had a 90% fly reduction ever since. They roll the dung into burrows and lay their eggs putting your dung below ground in the root layer in a couple of days. They are now experimenting to find another breed to pick up another season of the year. We also have laws to control having fowl manure out in the open while it rots to control the horse fly.

[@molotov9502]

Unfortunately, the rise in systemic pesticides in cattle feed has caused the demise of many beneficial insects, particularly dung beetles. Ivermectin seems to be the worst offender. And no way to get systemic pesticides into pasture grazed cattle.

[@alanvaleandthelazyfarmer1930]

@@molotov9502 There have been lots of mistakes in agriculture. As a result of bad management, Australia is plagued with cane toads, mice rats, swallows, rabbits, foxes, cats, pigs, goats, horses, water buffalo, and the worlds largest supply of healthy camels.

[@thomaslapp6029]

Don’t worry what other folks say about how you control the flies. Flies are a natural insect that can only be managed not eliminated. Love the videos

[@xtender5]

Hey Pete, have you thought of building a massive battery of tesla coils around the pasture carefully calibrated to zap anything higher than the cows with 1000 MW of electricity. That'll teach those pesky flies!

[@bikerhighmiler8998]

Add a Flux capacitor and you're in business!!!😊

[@Luckingsworth]

I agree with your choice. The backrub seems like the best choice of what is realistic. Ive seen videos of peolple making a business of taking herds of goats and traveling to peoples land to let the goats eat the brush to clear it. Seems to me like someone could do the same with chickens to help get ahead of flies on farms like yours.

[@robmichalowski8428]

Try the back or face brushes on a tall post I see alot of them on farms cows love to use them or put a wood post in the ground and buy a few heavy floor brooms brushes and attach them on the side of the wooden post with wood screws alot cheaper then buying the long round brushes plus you can hang a fly bottle trap on top .

[@MichaelAllanTorrey]

Hey Pete, most interesting video. Took a couple of attempts to watch today’s video. Frightening images of the subjects of the video. LOL. Yesterday we visited a favorite restaurant-Osteria Romano in Norwalk Ct. Ordered my favorite meal-New York Strip about 2” thick medium rare with wine sauce. Good thing we went yesterday because I don’t know if I could order that today after seeing the flies crawling all over my New York Strip. 😂 Good luck with fly control.

[@tommywise1702]

Good luck Pete, sometimes there is no good option. Maybe covering the pile will be enough and you can leave off the back rub.

[@lefty0741]

What about putting a dozen chickens on the manure pile to pick over the larvae and turn the manure? My uncle chicken wired around his dung heap and would place a few hens in there. He only raised about a dozen head of beef and had a milk cow along with a few pigs and chickens. Just a thought.