FIGHTING CATTLE PESTS

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 668, 21 May 1929, Page 6

FIGHTING CATTLE PESTS

REMEDIES DETAILED THOROUGHNESS NECESSARY Many farmers discover that their cattle are affected with lice and are perplexed to know just how to rid them of this pest during the cold months. It requires a great deal of labour, and if any of the details are neglected the results will be unsatisfactory, says the “Live Stock Journal.”

Cattle generally get the lice from the stable or sheds where they are kept. Therefore it is always necessary to eliminate the source of contamination, or, even though the lice that are on the animal are successfully removed, they will become reinfected in a short time.

Lice on live stock usually are to be found in greatest numbers where the skin is thinnest —under the front legs, along the belly and inside the thighs. Therefore in treating cattle for lice it is necessary to pay particular attention to these areas, or all of the lice will not be killed.

A very satisfactory treatment, which can be applied with a small brush or a cloth, consists of equal parts of cottonseed oil and kerosene. This should be applied evenly and not In too great amounts. It should be repeated in two weeks, if necessary. Where only a few animals are to be treated they can be treated by hand very successfully.

The above should not be used In extremely cold weather, but in moderate weather. If used when the weather is warm the animal should not be turned out into the direct sunlight.

A powder that is very effective in removing lice consists of powdered pyrethrum flowers one part, talcum three parts. This should be dusted into the hair and worked about with a stiffbrush. It must be well brushed into the hair to reach all the lice.

Owners of lousy cattle should keep in mind that it requires very thorough application or any line of treatment to remove the lice from their cattle when their hair is long. Where slip shod methods are employed the re suits are unsatisfactory.