Leading animal health manufacturer, Elanco, has released a unique, dual-active jetting fluid that prevents blowfly strike, treats existing strike and controls lice.

CyrexPS Liquid combines 12.5 g/L spinosad and 500 g/L cyromazine, the active ingredients found in Extinosad Eliminator and Vetrazin Liquid, respectively.

Extinosad Eliminator remains the benchmark for flexible knockdown control of maggots, flies and lice, while Vetrazin has been a trusted solution for long-lasting protection against blowfly strike in sheep for more than 40 years.

Elanco sheep brand manager David Rathbone says jetting remains an important method of protecting sheep against blowfly strike.

“Cyrex Liquid provides a welcome alternative to older, single-active jetting fluids by combining the rapid knockdown and spectrum of Extinosad Eliminator with the long-lasting protection of Vetrazin,” he says.

“Applied in accordance with the label instructions, Cyrex Liquid delivers the same concentrations of spinosad and cyromazine as Extinosad Eliminator and Vetrazin Liquid, respectively.”

Cyrex Liquid is registered for protection from blowfly strike for up to 14 weeks when applied as a jetting fluid; for the treatment of blowfly strike when applied as a blowfly strike dressing; and for the control of lice for 8–11 weeks on sheep with long wool when applied as a jetting fluid.

Spinosad and cyromazine are chemically unrelated.

“Spinosad belongs to the spinosyn chemical family,” David says.

“Upon contact or ingestion, it causes involuntary and prolonged tremors in the nervous system of target parasites, leading to irreversible paralysis and death.

“By comparison, cyromazine is an insect growth regulator.

“It interrupts the lifecycle of blowflies by preventing first-stage larvae from moulting into damaging second-stage maggots or maturing into adult flies.”

Cyrex Liquid is diluted at a rate of 1:500 in water for all use situations.

For protection against blowfly strike and lice control, 500 mL of diluted solution should be applied for each month of wool growth up to 5 litres per sheep.

“Apply from the poll to the tail base, around the neck and along each side using appropriate jetting equipment and ensuring the fleece is saturated to the skin,” David says.

“Note that reduced period of protection against blowfly strike may result if applied to sheep with less than six weeks’ wool or if applied using an automatic jetting race.

“An automatic jetting race is not recommended for lice control.”

Treating sheep in long wool should be regarded as a salvage treatment to reduce the lice burden and minimise fleece derangement until shearing.

A follow-up treatment with an effective off-shears or short wool lousicide is recommended after the next shearing.

For treatment of blowfly strike, apply 1–2 litres of diluted solution onto the wound.

“Remove wool from around the wound using clippers or shears,” David says.

“It is good practice to prepare a fresh dilution each day.”

Always read and follow the label directions. Good agricultural practice is essential for optimal treatment and protection against blowfly strike and control of lice.