Blowfly Watch

The gradually warming weather means that the blowfly strike season is now approaching.  Although it is probably going to be another month before the first wave of strikes is seen in southern lowland areas – and longer in northern and upland areas - this is the time to start planning strike management for the year ahead. It should also be noted that a few farms may have strikes early, before the onset of the main strike season is predicted by modelling.  This is because some maggots may overwintered in particularly warm spots, in barns for example, leading to unusually early fly emergence, so vigilance is always important.  Because of their long winter fleece, until they are sheared ewes are usually at greater strike risk than lambs at the start of the season.