The Accidental Smallholder Forum

Livestock => Sheep => Topic started by: Backinwellies on January 23, 2016, 08:05:26 am

Title: Lice Treatment
Post by: Backinwellies on January 23, 2016, 08:05:26 am
Hi all

Sheep all scratching and pulling wool out .... been to vet and is Lice.  Treated with Spot-on.  I wondered if anyone knows how long it takes to kill lice ... and therefore when I should worry if they are still scratching.
Title: Re: Lice Treatment
Post by: TheSmilingSheep on January 23, 2016, 08:22:44 am
Well, our recent experience is to be patient.....  I was getting so frustrated at apparent lack of resolution that I did lots of googling and eventually found a report about how it can take several weeks for the chemical treatment to make its way through the fleece, and that users should be warned of this so that we don't worry and start trying to treat for something else...

Also, my suspicion is that at this time of year, with longer fleece it's really quite hard to eradicate the problem.  We treated in early November, I think, and again at Christmas, and to be honest I think we will again next month, since I'm still seeing pulled wool....

I'm also reading that since less 'dipping' takes place now (which does 'eradicate'), lice is a more common / frequent problem.....

I'd be interested to hear how you get on ....  :fc:
Title: Re: Lice Treatment
Post by: harmony on January 23, 2016, 08:56:39 am
I found spot on very effective. It tells you on the bottle when to treat again. I think there will be a lot of lice around this year because it is mild and muddy. The good thing with spot on is you part the hair and apply so it isn't working through a thick fleece and possibly isn't washed off as quickly either.
Title: Re: Lice Treatment
Post by: landroverroy on January 23, 2016, 09:25:47 am
Don't forget also, the sheep will carry on scratching for a while after the last louse has died. Just because there's no lice doesn't mean the bites stop itching.
Title: Re: Lice Treatment
Post by: Hellybee on January 23, 2016, 10:41:21 am
We ve done the same, at drenching we did all lambs and housed them to make sure they were nice and dry before an then held to make sure spot on dried on them.    Long withdrawal though so only used on ewe lambs.   Brought ram lambs in and they crovected as its only seven day withdrawal.



Title: Re: Lice Treatment
Post by: SallyintNorth on January 23, 2016, 11:29:33 am
We ve done the same, at drenching we did all lambs and housed them to make sure they were nice and dry before an then held to make sure spot on dried on them.    Long withdrawal though so only used on ewe lambs.   Brought ram lambs in and they crovected as its only seven day withdrawal.

Just remember, the crovect lingers in the fleece for up to 4 months, so if you planned to use your boys' fleeces for spinning, you'd need to be sure you washed them thoroughly before using.  And warn the shearer ;)
Title: Re: Lice Treatment
Post by: Hellybee on January 23, 2016, 12:21:57 pm
Thank you Sally, they won't be staying, they ll be here for a little while longer but not the length of time that is required for spot on.  Our fleeces , are rather mediocre, bar one or two.
Title: Re: Lice Treatment
Post by: Hellybee on January 23, 2016, 12:25:21 pm
Also it's been pointed out to me that this is why you lime wash shed walls not paint but summit that will kill the little blighters. 
Title: Re: Lice Treatment
Post by: shep53 on January 23, 2016, 01:01:59 pm
Coopers spot-on    needs 2 hrs to  be rain safe and starts working after an hour or so  ,  it says on the box   Will reduce the incidence of lice over a  4-6 wk period   , so not instant