TECHNOLOGY

Electric Walk-Through Fly Trap for the control of Face, Stable, and Horn Flies

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Overview

Horn, stable and face flies pose a complex and expensive pest problem for cattle ranchers. Economic losses due to fly infestations results from reduction in weight gain by the cattle, depression in levels of milk production, pest control expenses including labor and lawsuits filed by the surrounding community. In the United States these losses have been estimated at well over $1 billion per year. Several methods presently employed to control fly populations include spraying infested areas with insecticides, incorporating insecticides into feed and mineral supplements and insecticidal ear tags. The estimated cost in 1993 for each of these methods of chemical control ranged from $1 to $5 per head of cattle per year, not including labor costs. The widespread use of these insecticides has resulted in insecticide resistance by the flies and concerns over potential harmful effects of the insecticides. These problems have prompted agricultural researchers to search for effective, non-chemical approaches to reducing fly populations.

Researchers at the University of Maryland, College Park, and the USDA have designed, built, and tested an Electric Walk-Through Fly Trap for the control of stable and horn flies. This durable fly trap will control costly fly problems without the use of chemicals or extra labor. The trap can be used as a stand alone unit that will withstand the elements and animal abuse. Power for the apparatus can come from an electrical outlet or solar source in order to fit a wide range of operations and locations. Tests have shown the fly trap works best when placed between fields or between a holding area and feeding area, thereby inducing the cattle to pass through the apparatus on a daily basis. Data collected from a recent study conducted in peak season indicated that the Walk-Through Fly Trap almost completely eradicated horn flies from a group of heifers maintained on pasture.

U.S. patents (5,347,748 & 5,419,076) and foreign patents have issued.

For more information please contact the Office of Technology Commercialization at the University of Maryland. (301) 405-3947; e-mail [email protected].

Contact Info

UM Ventures
0134 Lee Building
7809 Regents Drive
College Park, MD 20742
Email: [email protected]
Phone: (301) 405-3947 | Fax: (301) 314-9502