Self-Treatment Methods for Livestock—Backrubbers
Backrubbers correctly positioned in high traffic areas.
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PDF-2012

Keywords

IG134

How to Cite

Weeks, Emma N. I., and Phillip E. Kaufman. 2012. “Self-Treatment Methods for Livestock—Backrubbers: ENY279/IG134, Rev. 9/2012”. EDIS 2012 (10). Gainesville, FL. https://doi.org/10.32473/edis-ig134-2012.

Abstract

Back rubbers are a method of pesticide self-treatment for cattle. When bothered by insects or other pests, cattle tend to rub against objects. Backrubbers provide a rubbing surface that is treated with a pesticide. Cattle self-treat during rubbing, which reduces the number of flies, particularly horn flies, and parasites such as lice, on the animal. Backrubbers may be purchased commercially or constructed from easily available materials. A properly designed backrubber that supplies pesticide reliably to the animal can be a valuable addition to an integrated pest management program. This revised 4-page fact sheet was written by E. N. I. Weeks and P. E. Kaufman, and published by the UF Department of Entomology and Nematology, September 2012.

ENY279/IG134: Self-Treatment Methods for Livestock—Backrubbers (ufl.edu)

https://doi.org/10.32473/edis-ig134-2012
view on EDIS
PDF-2012

References

Harvey, T. L., and J. R. Brethour. 1986. Dust bag and backrubber applications of insecticides for control of pyrethroid resistant horn flies, Haematobia irritans (L). Prev. Vet. Med., 3: 537-540. https://doi.org/10.1016/0167-5877(86)90031-0

Iowa State University. (2009). Fly control measures. http://www.cfsph.iastate.edu/BRMForProducers/English/RouteSpecificInformation/fly_control.pdf (14 May 2012).

Johnson, G. (2009). Horn flies on cattle: biology and management. http://msuextension.org/publications/AgandNaturalResources/MT200912AG.pdf (14 May 2012).

Kessler, H., and W. L. Berndt. 1971. Comparison of dust bags to backrubbers for control of horn flies and face flies Diptera-Muscidae on beef cattle in East-Central South Dakota. J. Econ. Entomol., 64: 1465-1466. https://doi.org/10.1093/jee/64.6.1465

Mock, D. E. (1987). Managing insect problems on beef cattle. http://www.ksre.ksu.edu/historicpublications/Pubs/C671.pdf (14 May 2012).

Palmer, W. A., and D. E. Bay. 1984. A computer simulation model for describing the relative abundance of the horn fly, Haematobia irritans irrritans (L.), under various ecological and pest management regimes. Prot. Ecol., 7: 27-35.

Strayer, J. R. and J. F. Butler. 1972. External parasite control for livestock. University of Florida Cooperative Extension Service, Gainesville, Florida. Circular 354, pp 1-22.

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