EXTENSION REPORT

Spring and summer in Southeast Alabama brings us many things in the agricultural world. Summer pastures begin to become green, crops are planted, flowers begin to bloom, and everything seems to be moving with life. There are one or two things moving with life that are not always good for agricultural producers and livestock producers in particular though, and those are stable flies and fire ants. Stable flies and fire ants can at times be both a nuisance and an economic hardship for livestock producers, so it is of some importance to discuss how these two pests function and how to control them if need be.

            Stable flies, also known as biting house flies or dog flies, have been a pest for centuries. Recently, however, they have become much more serious because of an increase in population caused by certain production practices that farmers have began to use. The advent of the production and use of large round bales of hay has greatly increased the population of stable flies by providing a rich breeding material for the stable flies when the decaying hay mixes with manure and other organic material. The increased population has obviously increased the stable fly pressure per animal, with totals often reaching thirty to seventy five flies per animals. Stable flies have a hinged, blunt mouth that makes their bite more painful than mosquitoes, horn flies, or even horse flies. The painful bite of the stable fly can cause substantial stress to the livestock, enough so that research studies have shown decreased milk production in cattle and thereby reduced weaning weights in cattle. There are some things that we can do to deter stable fly populations around our livestock. First, hay stored under a barn decreases the amount of decayed material that is lost at the feeding site. Second, moving the hay on a regular basis decreases the amount of hay buildup at any particular site. Last, stable flies can also be controlled through spraying barn walls, posts, wood fencing and other objects with a labeled long residual insecticide, like permethrin.

            Fire ants can also be a substantial problem for livestock producers. Fire ant treatments can be fairly expensive, so producers should weigh observed and potential costs associated with fire ants against the cost of treating fire ants before a decision to treat is made. Some potential costs that could be associated with fire ants are : (1) reduced yield from raising cutter height, time lost unclogging cutter, infested bales of hay, and medical injury to workers when hayfields are infested with fire ants (2) equipment replacement or repair such as cutters, shredders, electrical equipment and water pump damage (3) livestock injury and death (normally only associated with immature animals during summertime when fire ants are starved for food and moisture (4) possible damage to wildlife, fishing pond access, and enjoyment of outdoor activities. These factors should be carefully considered when making the decision to treat large tracts of lands. Many of us, however, just plain don’t want to have our farm infested with fire ants, so we are willing to sacrifice whatever it costs to treat our land and get rid of fire ants. When the decision to treat is made, we must then decide what chemical controls that we will use in order to treat our fire ant problem. There are many commercial options available to homeowners, but the list of products labeled for pastures or hayfields is not nearly so extensive. Producers should refer to extension publications and label directions on chemicals to determine what is legal for use on their hayfields and pastures. Broadcast applications of fire ant baits is generally considered to be the least toxic, most cost effective and environmentally sound approach to reducing fire ants in large areas of land, particularly when fire ant mounds number twenty or more per acre. Broad cast methods and timing are also crucial for “getting the most bang for your buck” from your fire ant treatment. Fire ant baits should be spread with applicators that don’t grind the bait and that are calibrated to spread the correct amount of bait to a prescribed area. Fire ant bait being applied in a timely manner is also important. Fire ant workers only forage for food when conditions are favorable, in particular when air temperature is between 65-90 degrees. That means that in the heat of the summer in southwest Alabama, foraging occurs predominately at night so bait should be applied in the late afternoon or early evening. There are several bait and application methods that can be used fairly effectively against fire ants. The Alabama Cooperative Extension System has several very useful publications that can be accessed at the Alabama Cooperative Extension System website, . There is also some very good information including several articles written by Auburn University Extension Entomologist Kathy Flanders available at the Alabama Cooperative Extension System Animal Science and Forages team website, . For more information on stable fly or fire ant control on your farm, contact Regional Animal Science and Forages Agent, Ken Kelley at 251-574-8445 or 251-238-0373.

Email address: kellewi@aces.edu
Phone number: 937-7176 or 943-5611, 928-0860, ext. 2222

Issued in furtherance of Cooperative Extension work in agriculture and home economics, Acts of May 8 and June 30, 1914, and other related acts, in cooperation with the U.S. Department of Agriculture. The Alabama Cooperative Extension System (Alabama A&M University and Auburn University) offers educational programs, materials, and equal opportunity employment to all people without regard to race, color, national origin, religion, sex, age, veteran status, or disability