Even with the colder than usual winter most of Texas experienced this past winter, filth flies are here or will be very soon.

Stable flies are the first of the biting flies to make their presence known. They can be observed hanging around horse stalls and the legs of cattle. The stable fly is one of the most detrimental flies for livestock; they take a single blood meal a day and deliver a nasty and painful bite.

These flies breed in hay/grass mixed with feces and urine and are best controlled for with sanitation instead of chemicals.

Horn flies will be showing up soon in small numbers but by mid-July the population will be in full force. Although treatment is not needed just yet, it is suggested to wait until 100 flies per animal are observed, it is good  to decide which method of control you will want to use.

In addition, other blood sucking flies will be seen in the next few weeks and some addition filth flies such as house flies and blow flies.

Observing livestock for fly presence, fields and barns for breeding sites and maintaining water troughs so they do not influence mosquito growth, are preventative measures that will decrease population outbreaks.