It is doubtful if we have ever had such an effective range of lice management products to choose from in the last 30 – 40 years.
When we moved away from arsenic based dips, our choice of control product (outside of effective fencing) was always narrow, and the efficacy of these products always compromised by just how wet, or how much penetration we could achieve through the plunge or shower dip options.
We then moved into the pour-on options, which were quite effective if used correctly, but without alternate chemical groups to switch between, resistance built up rapidly.
Today (2024), we have several effective control products available to us. There are at least 6 different actives, plus a combination available; most are pour-on options, but we also now have an oral treatment.
Below is a spreadsheet with a number of brand names, their active ingredients, their method of application plus whether they can be used in long or short wool.
In todays environment (ESI, WHP’s etc), no product can offer long-term protection. Livestock management that includes quarantine, good fencing and good neighbour protocols on managing escaped animals all contribute to effective lice management.
If we can rotate our active ingredients (not brands names), we should be able to have good effective chemistry available to us for a number of years.
Seek the advice from your local FPAG animal health contact to help with your lice management plan.
