Farm Animal Welfare

Sheep Ectoparasite Welfare in Summer

External parasites including flies, ticks and mites cause significant suffering in sheep during summer months.

Key Facts

Blowfly strike is the most serious welfare emergency in UK sheep in summer
Lucilia sericata and related species lay eggs in warm, moist fleece areas
Prevention includes insecticide treatments, dagging and monitoring
Mange mites cause intense pruritus and are a notifiable disease in the UK
Tick-borne diseases cause fever, lameness and mortality particularly in lambs

Welfare Considerations

Ectoparasite burdens in sheep cause acute and chronic suffering - blowfly strike in particular causes rapid tissue destruction and extreme distress. Proactive prevention and prompt treatment significantly reduce welfare impacts.

What You Can Do

Implement a blowfly strike prevention programme appropriate to your region
Inspect sheep regularly in warm weather for signs of strike
Seek veterinary advice for an effective and targeted ectoparasite control plan