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09 May 2025 - News
Flies are among the main hygienic and sanitary threats to the livestock sector. Their presence negatively affects animal welfare, productivity, and the overall hygiene of the farming environment.
In this article, we explore the biological aspects of flies, the associated health risks, the regulatory framework, and the best Integrated Pest Management (IPM) strategies.
Flies belong to the order Brachycera Diptera and undergo complete metamorphosis: egg, larva, pupa, and adult stages.
The life cycle of muscoid flies varies depending on temperature: at 25°C, development can be completed in about 14–16 days, but in warmer conditions, it may be reduced to 8–10 days.
We distinguish between: Sponging flies, equipped with mouthparts for absorbing liquids excreted by animals (e.g., Musca domestica, the common housefly), and Hematophagous flies, which feed on blood (e.g., Stomoxys calcitrans, the stable fly).
Flies can act as vectors of numerous pathogens, posing risks to both humans and animals, including: Bacteria (Salmonella, Escherichia coli); Viruses (Avian Influenza, PRRSV – Porcine Reproductive and Respiratory Syndrome Virus); Protozoa (Toxoplasma gondii); Tapeworms (Habronema muscae causing Habronemiasis in horses).
These pests often come into contact with contaminated surfaces and materials. Using their legs, body hairs, and mouthparts, flies can transfer pathogens to food, water, tools, and even open wounds. Their feces and digestive secretions can further contaminate any surfaces or items they touch, significantly increasing the risk of infection.
To define and assess biosecurity in Italian livestock farms, the ClassyFarm monitoring system is in place. It evaluates animal welfare by considering both the physiological and behavioral needs of the animals. ClassyFarm is a digital platform that processes large volumes of data from various sources, including:
On-site evaluations of animal welfare and farm biosecurity;
Antimicrobial use and resistance data;
Key farm parameters (health status, production data, feeding);
Data collected at slaughterhouses, including health indicators (e.g., lung scores) and welfare indicators (e.g., tail lesions in pigs).
In the context of biosecurity evaluation under the ClassyFarm guidelines, pest control must meet one of three conditions:
Insufficient condition: No pest control measures are in place.
Acceptable condition: Pest control procedures exist, even if approximate and not formalized in written plans, but are deemed effective enough to contain rodents and flies acceptably.
Optimal condition: Structured pest control actions are in place, with properly documented and described plans, and evidence of effectiveness monitoring by farm operators.
The SQBA – National Animal Welfare Quality System is a voluntary certification that ensures animal welfare throughout the agri-food supply chain. It was established under Article 224-bis of Law 77/2020 and aligns with the 2023–2027 Common Agricultural Policy (CAP), Italy’s PNRR (National Recovery and Resilience Plan), and the EU’s Farm to Fork strategy.
Fly control in livestock farms requires an Integrated Pest Management (IPM) approach, involving a series of coordinated actions ranging from larval control to adulticide treatments, when necessary.
In larval control, it is essential to recognize that fly larvae select colonized substrates based on specific moisture levels (40–80%) and temperatures (30–37°C).
Fly larvae feed on decomposing organic matter such as animal manure, food waste, and other organic residues.
Pteromalid Hymenoptera are small parasitic wasps and natural antagonists of flies, disrupting their reproductive cycle by parasitizing the pupae. These hymenopterans lay their eggs inside the fly pupae, and the emerging larvae feed on the developing fly, eventually growing into adult wasps. The adults then emerge from the pupae and repeat the cycle.
Beneficial insects are applied in livestock farms through:
Manual releases, distributed along the edges of bedding or in manure heaps
Special containers with holes, from which the adult parasitoids emerge and search for fly pupae directly in the substrate
Biological control using beneficial insects is effective against both sponging flies and blood-feeding flies.
Muscitex Box contains a blend of Pteromalidae Hymenoptera pupae in inert material, designed for the biological control of flies in livestock facilities.
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Thanks to the high production capacity of BIO-FAB, Colkim’s bio-factory specialized in breeding Pteromalid Hymenoptera, it is possible to develop a custom operational plan tailored to the specific needs of each client.
One of the most requested solutions is the pre-scheduled release program, ideal for those who want a consistently managed and regular release cycle.
Cyclic and scheduled releases of beneficial insects
Regular frequency, typically biweekly
No need to place individual orders for each shipment
Ideal for environments with seasonal or predictable infestations
The program begins with initial inoculations in early spring, generally starting in April, and continues throughout the season, maintaining a 15-day interval between releases.
Physical control of flies in livestock farming includes all mass trapping systems used to manage adult fly populations.
| Type | Products | Application Area | Key Benefits |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mass trapping traps | Fly Trap, Fly Bag, Buzzkil Giant Fly Trap | Strategic areas of the farm | Food attractant, visible effectiveness |
| Glue traps | Moschicidal Roll, Moschicidal Wire, Chromotropic Panel | Passage areas and interior walls | Adhesive base, easy to install |
| Insect light traps | Chameleon Stellaris, Chameleon Qualis IP, Titan 300 SS, Titan 200 IP | Milking rooms, sensitive areas | Ideal for reducing animal stress |
For each type of UV-A lamp used to capture flying insects, it is essential to evaluate the IP rating based on the environment where it will be used (e.g., due to possible water splashes in milking rooms).
Chemical control involves the use of localized insecticides, which can be applied via dispensers or on chromotropic panels. This method targets adult insects directly, reducing the pest population without compromising the safety of the livestock environment.
| Type | Products | Application Area | Key Benefits |
|---|---|---|---|
| Granular bait | Advion Mosche, Advion Indoor Bait Station, Advion Outdoor Bait Station | Indoor and outdoor areas using dedicated bait stations | Targeted action on adult flies, visible effectiveness |
| Surface brushing | Demand 10 CS, Pesguard CT 2.6 | Walls (if authorized on the label) or chromotropic panels | Targeted and long-lasting treatment when applied correctly |
| Space adulticide treatments | Cymina Plus | Fly resting or gathering areas | Wide coverage, rapid reduction of adult flies |
Scientific evidence and technical field trials show that proper farm management using Integrated Pest Management (IPM) ensures animal welfare, increases productivity, and significantly reduces fly populations.
An internal trial conducted by Colkim’s Infestalia Technical Team at a calf barn in Mantua demonstrated that fly control using IPM strategies (release of beneficial insects, use of mass trapping systems, and both indirect and direct chemical control) led to a 50% reduction in fly populations and a significant decrease in the number of pupae in the bedding.
The fly life cycle consists of four stages: egg, larva, pupa, and adult. Under ideal conditions (around 25°C), it can be completed in less than 15 days, with faster development at higher temperatures.
Flies lay clusters of 100 to 1,000 eggs on vertical surfaces near water or on moist soil that supports larval development. Eggs typically hatch in 5 to 7 days. Horse flies overwinter in the larval stage and pupate between spring and early summer.
Flies can cause stress in animals, reduced productivity, spread of pathogens, and contamination of food. They act as mechanical vectors for bacteria, viruses, and parasites, posing risks to both animal and human health.
Implementing an Integrated Pest Management (IPM) strategy that combines larvicide treatments, beneficial insects, traps, UV lamps, and, when needed, targeted chemical treatments, is highly effective in controlling flies in medium-sized environments such as barns, pigsties, and dairies.
The most effective traps for controlling adult flies on farms include:
Mass trapping systems with food-based attractants
Glue boards, including chromotropic panels
UV light traps with adhesive panels or electric grids
Trap selection should be based on the type of infestation and environmental conditions, with regular maintenance to ensure continued effectiveness.