At this time of the year we field lots of questions regarding dipping options, techniques, etc. Here are our answers to some of the most frequently asked questions.
If using spray on / pour on products for fly control, where should I put it?
Apart from Clik, spray on products do not move much in the wool so apply product where you need protection.
For lambs normally the rump, tail and crutch area.
For ewes as above but also the backline and shoulder area.
How do I control lice in summer if using a fly control product that doesn’t do lice?
If using Vetrazin or an equivalent product, Extinosad can be added to the wash for about 8 cents per litre. This product will also kill live maggots if some sheep are already struck.
If using pour on consider Exit or Zapp which has lice and fly control claims.
Do flies get resistant to dips?
The answer is yes. Flies resistant to Triflumuron (Zapp / Exit) and Diflubenzuron (Fleececare) have been identified north of us (Taranaki, King Country, etc), and we expect them to arrive here. We have had reports of these types of dips not lasting as long as they used to which suggests resistant flies may be around.
I want more than 8-10 weeks protection, what should I use?
In this situation the only product that consistently gives longer protection (up
to 16 weeks) is Clik pour on. Cyrazin KO, a mixture of cyromazine and ivermectin, appeared to deliver up to 12 weeks cover last season.
Can I leave dip mixed up?
If you have clean water and storage tanks and are jetting animals the answer is probably yes, as long as it is not left for too long. 48 hours is probably ok.
Can I use lower doses than the label directions?
If you require less length of cover than the label claims or only want tail / crutch protection, lower doses can be used. Accurate application with smaller volumes can work just as well as higher volumes poorly applied.
Can I dip wet sheep?
Yes, provided sheep are not dripping wet. In fact slightly damp sheep can be an advantage with some dips.
What happens if it rains after dipping?
Most dips bind onto the wool and lanolin very quickly. Getting wet an hour or two after dipping should not matter with most products.