Which method uses a topical application to reduce fly contact on cattle?

• A. Sprays
• B. Dust Bags
• C. Sanitation
• D. Ear Tags

Answer: (A)

The key idea is applying a protective chemical directly onto the cattle’s skin or coat to prevent flies from landing. Sprays do exactly that: you spray the animal to create a coating that repels or kills flies on contact, reducing fly contact as cattle move and the coating wears off over time.

Dust bags involve a powder or dust that the animal may pick up by rubbing against a bag or through movement, which is not a straightforward, uniform topical coating on the entire animal. Sanitation focuses on the environment—cleanliness to reduce breeding sites and overall fly numbers rather than applying something to the animal itself. Ear tags release insecticide from a device worn on the ear, a slow-release method that affects flies indirectly rather than by a direct spray coating the hide.

So, direct topical application to the animal is best accomplished with sprays.