What’s the Best Pour-On for Winter Lice Control?

As cold weather approaches, it’s important to proactively treat cattle for lice. It’s estimated that 1 louse in September can result in 1 million in January if cattle are left untreated. 

These parasitic nuisances can cause issues ranging from hair loss to reduced weight gain in cattle. In fact, according to a University of Nebraska study, “heavy lice populations may reduce weight gains by as much as 0.21 lb/day.” 

Watch Dr. Steve Dudley, a practicing veterinarian with Southwest Veterinary Services, in the video below to learn more about:

• The problems lice create

• Different pour-ons available on the market

• How to effectively use pour-ons to address lice challenges

View the video below, or keep scrolling to learn more about identifying and managing cattle lice with pour-ons.

Watch Video Now: Winter Lice Control

Cattle Lice Symptoms

Common signs of a cattle lice infestation include cattle scratching themselves, biting at their irritated skin, and rubbing their bodies on fences, facility structures, and trees. As a result, their coats may look mangy, and they may experience hair loss. 

Anemia can occur from blood loss when infestations are severe.

Additionally, cows’ skin may be chafed. Not only does this cause discomfort, but wounded skin can lead to bacterial infection. 

Ringworm and other diseases can be spread when sucking lice are present.

Cows are sensitive, and a louse infestation can induce stress. When they’re stressed, cattle may breathe more heavily, eat and drink less, and ultimately lose weight and productivity. 

Dealing with other pests on your farm? Check out our Pest Solutions pages for how to identify them and chemically manage them. 

Types of Cattle Lice

Lice are spread through direct contact, but they don’t survive long when not attached to animals.

There are two types of cattle lice:

• Biting lice: With flat heads, these lice primarily feed on dandruff and skin debris. They are more difficult to control because they go through the whole cattle body and cause systemic problems.

• Sucking lice: With long snouts, these lice feed on blood. 

Neither type of lice that impacts cattle affect humans. 

Learn how to manage the 4 major fly types that impact cattle herds in this blog.

When to Expect Cattle Lice

Lice are primarily cool season pests that cause more problems in the winter because cattle have thicker coats and insulation. 

Livestock producers typically notice them the most starting in December. By March, when the weather begins to warm up, they become less of an issue. 

Cattle Louse Life Cycle

The life cycle of lice in cattle occurs over a 4–6-week time period.

Lice lay eggs on day 1. By day 7, those eggs have developed into a nymph stage that lasts for approximately 7 to 21 days. Once a louse reaches the adult stage, it can start to lay eggs in 7 to 14 days, and then the cycle starts over again, resulting in as many as a million lice. 

Treating Lice on Cattle

Lice are the most common external and visible parasites that can present challenges to livestock producers. Because they can cause significant irritation and potential loss of production, preventing and treating them is important. 

How to Treat Lice with Pour-ons  

There are several lice pour-on options available on the market, including:

• Clean-Up™ II (diflubenzuron & permethrin)

• Ivermectin (this is the active ingredient, with both name brand and generic products available on the market)

• Cydectin® (moxidectin)

• Dectomax® (doramectin)

• Eprinex® (eprinomectin)

Lice Pour-On Product Options

Clean-Up™ II II is a good product because it offers season-long lice control with a single application. It kills all stages of both biting and sucking lice. It is approved for lactating and non-lactating dairy cattle, beef cattle, calves, and horses. It should be noted that Clean-Up II is toxic to aquatic organisms such as fish, though, so you’ll want to minimize any run off when using this product. 

The recommended dosage is 3 ml per 100 lbs of body weight; you shouldn’t use more than 30 ml per animal. It is also recommended that you not only pour it along the back line of the animal, but also on the animal’s poll/face. This may require the person working the headgate to have their own application bottle and gun. The product spreads through the skin via oil.

Stock Up on Lice Pour-ons from FBN®

Check out all available lice pour-on product options available from FBN by clicking here to visit the Animal Health store.

Shop online 24/7 and get products delivered directly to your farm or ranch. 

If your product requires a prescription, provide your preferred veterinarian’s contact information when you place your online order, and we’ll reach out to them on your behalf. Get step-by-step instructions here.

Related Resources

• How Does Cow Body Condition Impact Reproductive Performance?

• How to Manage the 4 Major Fly Types That Impact Cattle Herds

• 6 Critical Steps to Take for Biosecurity Amid Avian Influenza

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