Farm Animals

Sheep Flystrike Prevention Summer

Blowfly strike is a painful condition in sheep where flies lay eggs in wool, leading to larval tissue destruction requiring urgent management.

Key Facts

Flystrike causes intense pain from larval tissue digestion
Warm humid summers dramatically increase strike risk
Dag removal and crutching reduce strike-prone soiled wool
Preventive insecticides provide protection for 8-16 weeks
Breed selection for bare breeching reduces mulesing and strike risk

Welfare Considerations

Flystrike is one of the most painful conditions in sheep welfare, causing rapid deterioration if undetected. Prevention through husbandry and monitoring is far preferable to treatment. Daily inspection in high-risk periods is essential.

What You Can Do

Support welfare standards requiring active flystrike monitoring
Learn to recognise early signs of strike
Advocate for mulesing alternatives and breeding programs