[luckylady]

I have taken delivery of my Crovect and gun in readiness to treat the lambs this summer but as yet they are too small.  I have been told that you can use white vinegar as a fly repellant on lambs albeit not as effectively.  Going with the theory that something is better than nothing especially in this heat but I don't want to do it just on this one persons advice.  Has anyone else heard of this or tried it? 

[Fleecewife]

I've not heard of this but it is an interesting theory.  Some people are more susceptible to midgie bites (me  ) than others and one possible reason is the different acidity of the skin.  I wonder how and how often you would have to apply the vinegar?  I think though that with just a few animals you can keep them clean and watch out for any fly attention in plenty of time to prevent strike for a couple of weeks or so.
The temp here has dropped a bit thank goodness.

[plumseverywhere]

Oh luckylady, you remind me of me!  I felt I needed to do something and so bought some stuff from countrywide (nettex fly repellent) - have duly sprayed my heavily fleeced/waiting for shearer ewes and even though it might not do anything, I feel I have tried.  I'm guessing you'd apply the vinegar with a spray bottle but as for how often, one roll in the wet grass might render any of these preventatives as useful as a chocolate teapot 


I guess there's no substitute in the interim for keeping a very close eye for anything like Juliet say's and keeping our fingers crossed that the weather stays a bit cooler for a bit.
I have to say, flystrike has been the main thing that's got me worried since we've had sheep.

[luckylady]

Thanks for the feedback.  Think I'll give it a miss as its a bit of an unknown.   Getting paranoid and checking them frequently for anything and everything since losing Cyril on Monday.  Fly strike is a bit worry in this heat - weather man got it wrong saying it was going to cool down for us yesterday when its hotter than ever today.
Couple of years back we had to deal with fly strike in the sheath of one of our horses.  Thankfully caught it early so flesh invasion wasn't a big issue but spent a week twice a day with gloved hand up his sheath hunting out maggots with diluted hibiscrub.  Thankfully he was such a gentleman about it. 

[VSS]

The best fly repellant is to keep your lambs clean. You don't often see maggots on a lamb that isn't shitty or pissy.


...waiting now for all the tales of those who have had maggots on perfectly clean lambs

[plumseverywhere]

The best fly repellant is to keep your lambs clean. You don't often see maggots on a lamb that isn't shitty or pissy.


...waiting now for all the tales of those who have had maggots on perfectly clean lambs

Ahhhhh well now you mention it VSS....only kidding 

[Fleecewife]

..... spent a week twice a day with gloved hand up his sheath hunting out maggots with diluted hibiscrub. 

Oh good grief - I was going to have lunch but suddenly I feel a diet day coming on 

[Anke]

...waiting now for all the tales of those who have had maggots on perfectly clean lambs

 
Yep, had one like that a couple of years back - clean lamb flystrike on her back, and AFTER treatment with Vetrazin (within the period it should have been covered). Only found it when she was down in the field...Big holes, washing out with Savlon twice a day, but she delivered a couple of really nice lambs this spring!

[plumseverywhere]

Is there an increased chance with rams being struck over ewes?
We've had two older lambs caught with flystrike, both boys, 1 lived the other did not. (not mine btw, but grazing on our land)
Just interested in Dot's point about urine - maybe dagging stops girls getting nasty mucky wool but boys bits aren't dagged (as such) especially first year of life.

[luckylady]

..... spent a week twice a day with gloved hand up his sheath hunting out maggots with diluted hibiscrub. 

Oh good grief - I was going to have lunch but suddenly I feel a diet day coming on 

Sorreeee Fleecewife!  Will endeavour to post any other 'icky' tales at a more appropriate time of day i.e. not mealtimes!! 

[redborneschoolfarm]

You could try mixing your vinegar with good old fashioned citronella that potent oil that makes candles smell funny. We used on special fringes around a horses forehead to keep the flys away from their eyes. It was not an irritant to the horse but did help keep away the flies. Failing that a bit of vetracin around their more dirty areas would do it.

[SallyintNorth]

The best fly repellant is to keep your lambs clean. You don't often see maggots on a lamb that isn't shitty or pissy.


...waiting now for all the tales of those who have had maggots on perfectly clean lambs

Well, yes, it does happen - sorry!  But for sure the best defence is keeping them clean.

[Moleskins]

You could try mixing your vinegar with good old fashioned citronella

For lambs I prefer mixing the vinegar with good old fashioned mint ....


 

[Sylvia]

Or lavender or thyme oil.

[VSS]

The best fly repellant is to keep your lambs clean. You don't often see maggots on a lamb that isn't shitty or pissy.


...waiting now for all the tales of those who have had maggots on perfectly clean lambs

Well, yes, it does happen - sorry!  But for sure the best defence is keeping them clean.

I know it does - we have it happen occasionally. But the odds are DRASTICALLY reduced if the sheep are clean.