The prevalence of lice on sheep and control practices in South Australia

Abstract

The apparent state prevalence of flocks infested with lice was 21%, with 13% infested in the HR, 21% in the CS and 25% in the PA. Ninety one percent of managers claimed to take precautions to prevent the introduction of lice and 91% routinely checked their flocks for lice. Seventy eight percent treated their sheep for lice annually and 85% had treated within the last 12 months. Of those treating in the last year, 69% had used a backline application, 16% had used a shower dip and 17% had used plunge dipping. Only 4% of producers used a long wool treatment. Synthetic pyrethroid (SP) based products were used by 50% of producers who used backline treatments in the preceding 12 months, compared to 42% and 8% for insect growth regulator and organophosphorous (OP) based products, respectively. Only 34% of managers identified SP-based products as having potential resistance problems. Of those producers who used shower or plunge dips in the last 12 months, 75% used an OP based product. Rural newspapers and magazines were by far the most commonly noted source of information for the control of lice on sheep.