Consider other parasites when treating

  • Products used to control lice will also affect other parasites.
  • Treating lice can cause development of resistance in other parasites.

Most louse control products also affect other external parasites and some, most notably those containing the macrocyclic lactone compounds, also affect internal parasites. Use of these chemicals for cattle lice can also select for resistance in the other parasites. It is important to read the label to determine which parasites will be controlled. Resistance is a significant issue in ticks, buffalo flies and cattle worms so when choosing a chemical for lice control consider the possible effects of increasing selection for resistance in non-targeted parasites.

Figure 1. Consider if the product you are using to target one parasite might also be affecting other parasites such as worms, ticks flies or lice. Images courtesy of AR Walker Wikimedia CC (worm), Lex Turner (ticks) and Jess Morgan (flies and lice)
Figure 1. Consider if the product you are using to target one parasite might also be affecting other parasites such as worms, ticks flies or lice. Images courtesy of AR Walker Wikimedia CC (worm), Lex Turner (ticks) and Jess Morgan (flies and lice)