Chris Rademacher, Laura Greiner, Brett Ramirez Iowa Pork Industry Center, Iowa State University, Ames, Iowa
Seasonal insect bites on market swine can cause skin lesions leading to significant trim loss in packing plants, up to $7.00-15.00 per head in the upper Midwest. Identifying the specific insect and understanding its behavior is crucial for effective management. For instance, mosquitos are likely to be found multiplying outside the barn rather than inside.
Best Practices for Insect Control:
- Site Maintenance:
- Sanitation: Maintain cleanliness and manage manure effectively to disrupt fly breeding cycles. Remove manure, spilled feed, and wet bedding frequently.
- Grass and Trees: Keep grass mowed short to reduce habitats for insects. Certain trees like conifers and cedars can harbor insects, so tree selection on-site may need to be considered.
- Ponds: Manage ponds to reduce vegetation and consider stocking with species that consume larvae. Barley straw can also help control insects.
- Building Perimeter: Use rock buffers for drainage and eliminate weeds to prevent stagnant water. Remove decomposing vegetation and refuse to avoid insect larvae.
- Lighting: Minimize barn lighting at night to deter insects. Turn off site lights near the building before dusk until after sunrise. Consider electric insect removal outside the building.
- Curtains: Regularly drain stagnant water from curtains.
- Barn Interior: Check and repair leaky watering devices to avoid standing water. Evaluate sprinkler settings to ensure they do not operate at night.
- Ventilation:
- Naturally-Ventilated Barns: Use stir fans to maintain airflow, especially at night. Consider decreasing the stir fan “on” temperature during cooler nighttime temperatures.
- Tunnel-Ventilated Barns: Adjust ventilation settings to ensure adequate air movement. Decrease the room set point to maintain higher tunnel stages through the night. Ensure inlets are properly adjusted for optimal air movement.
- Manure Holding Facilities:
- Concrete Holding Tanks: Use enzymes to prevent solid buildup and reduce opportunities for fly breeding.
- Lagoons: Reduce surrounding vegetation to limit insect breeding.
- Insecticides:
- Use residual sprays, non-residual knockdown sprays, baits, or feed additives as per label directions. Rotate between pyrethroid and organophosphate insecticides to prevent resistance. Always follow label directions to avoid environmental damage and ensure safety.
- Larvacides and Fogging Devices:
- Consider larvacides for standing water and use foggers for barns with high insect infestations. Products like oil-based and water-based natural pyrethrins can be effective when delivered through foggers.
- Insect Trapping:
- Use sticky traps to identify insect species and determine appropriate control measures. Place traps in multiple locations throughout the barn and consult with experts for identification.
Conclusion
By implementing these best practices, producers can effectively manage insect levels, minimizing their impact on swine carcasses and reducing economic losses. For more detailed information and guidance, please refer to the full document by the Iowa Pork Industry Center here.
