Pest & Fly Applicators
Fly Control Applicators for Livestock
The best fly control product won't do much if it lands in the wrong place or at the wrong dose. That's why the applicator matters as much as what's in the jug. Valley Vet Supply's founders treated cattle in a Marysville, Kansas, mixed-animal practice before starting this company in 1985, and we still think about fly season the way cattlemen do. This collection carries livestock fly control applicators for ear tags, pour-ons, and dust bags, so every dose goes where it should.
Types of Fly Control Applicators
Fly tags go in fast with the Ultra Tagger Plus Applicator from Y-Tex. Its wide, open throat helps avoid pinching the ear, and a nickel-plated applicator pin gives straight-line placement. It works with Y-Tex insecticide tags and All-American ID tags, but not with Y-Tex RFID or tamper-evident tags.
The Pour-On Applicator Gun from Merck fits most 1-gallon pour-on insecticides and adjusts from 3 to 30 ml in 1 ml steps. Draw-off tubing and a bottle-feed attachment for 1-1/2 in lids come with it.
For pasture use, the Prozap Insectrin Dust Bag Kit pairs a refillable, mildew-resistant canvas bag with 12.5 lbs of 0.25% permethrin dust for horn flies, face flies, and lice on cattle.
Choosing and Using an Applicator Safely
Matching the Applicator to Your Herd
A pour-on gun saves time when you're running a full pen through the chute. Dust bags hung in gateways or near minerals let cattle treat themselves as they pass. Ear tags go in once a season, usually as flies start building in late spring, so a good tagger may only come out once or twice a year.
Protective Gear and Cleanup
Wear gloves and rinse guns after each use. Read each insecticide label for required protective gear, since some pour-ons also call for long sleeves or eye protection. Store applicators and chemicals out of reach of kids and pets. Shop Cattle Fly & Lice and Traps, Baits & Premise products.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which applicator do I need for fly ear tags?
Use the applicator built for your tag brand. The Ultra Tagger Plus is designed for Y-Tex insecticide and All-American tags, and a matched fly tag applicator seats the tag cleanly without tearing the ear. Check the tag package to confirm which applicator it's designed for before you start.
How often should I apply pour-on fly control?
That depends on the product. Each pour-on lists its own retreatment interval and dose by body weight, so read the label before you set a schedule. Rotating insecticide classes from year to year, with your vet's input, can help slow fly resistance.
Can I use the same applicator for different products?
Often, yes. The Merck pour-on applicator for cattle fits most 1-gallon pour-ons, but rinse it thoroughly between products so chemicals don't mix, and check that the tubing suits what you're applying. If you run several pour-ons through a season, label each gun by product to avoid mix-ups.
