Pests can include wildlife, feral domestic animals, insects, and other external or internal parasites depending on the region and climate of the operation. Many non-resident animals can act as a fomite and carry different diseases onto the operation. Much of the control focuses around protecting animal’s feed and water sources from contamination, though these practices also contribute to animal health. Each operation has control over their biosecurity practices and decides what risks they are willing to take. Working with your local veterinarian, extension agent, industry representatives, or local entomologists or wildlife officers will help tailor a strategy to the specific operation. This resource team can help in understanding the specific wildlife/pest risks in your region and recommend multiple prevention strategies to protect your herd. 

Each region will have its own risks to look for. Producers should contact their herd and state veterinarian to understand what pests they should be looking for and understand the signs cattle may show if infected or infested. For instance, the Asian Longhorned Tick¹ has expanded its range to include beef cattle in the Midwest. If these ticks are carrying the protozoan Theileria orientalis Ikeda, signs look similar to anaplasmosis, so diagnostic testing is important to complete. Another example is New World Screwworm,² which is not currently found in the U.S. though has been found in Guatemala. The larvae of these flies will burrow (screw) into an open wound as they feed and cause extensive damage to the hosts’ tissues. The main prevention tactic is to recognize the signs of infestation and contact the state veterinarian for identification and treatment. General focus areas to protect cattle from pests include: 

• Avoid mixing species by keeping animals and strangers off the property. Minimize access of wild birds to cattle, water and feed sources, and their environment. Fencing off feed, water, and animals is one tactic. 
• Discourage birds from nesting or resting in animal areas and feed areas. Note that lethal mitigation may not be allowed for certain wildlife species, including migratory birds and endangered species, so caution should be used in choosing control measures. 
• Protecting feed and water sources from wildlife, pests, and other animals is critical to preventing disease transmission. Discouraging nesting sites near feed and water sources is one technique. 
• Dogs, cats, and other pets can also be fomites and should not be allowed to roam between operations. 
• Put precautions in place for caretakers and veterinary teams handling sick/dead birds and small mammals including proper personal protective equipment (PPE) and carcass disposal. 
• Farmers should check their livestock for ticks and parasites regularly. If any unusual looking ticks or large infestations are seen, report this to your state animal health official so they can investigate. 
• To reduce tick habitats, maintain a significant distance between lawn or pastures and wooded areas. 
• Keep grass height low and remove weeds and brush from bordering wooded areas. Document how often weeding and grass control occurs. 
• Use fencing to create barriers between areas where animals are housed, pasture, and wildlife. 
• Remove trash and debris from working areas and offices to discourage pest infestation. 
• Ensure any pest control program complies with state and local regulations. 
• Record any bait or live trap use and how often it is checked. 
• If livestock guardians, herding dogs, or ranch horses are used to work livestock on more than one farm, ensure biosecurity measures are taken to remove visible contamination of fur and feet/hooves. 
• External and internal parasites can be managed through spraying, ear tags, topical products, biological control, or other methods. Fecal testing for internal parasites, quarantine and testing of new animals, and using a control plan that utilizes management of the environment to prevent insect reproduction in addition to appropriate product use is critical. Anthelmintic (or dewormer) and insecticide resistance have become a real threat to prevention and control of parasites in livestock as decades of overuse have decreased the utility of certain classes of anthelmintics. Work with your veterinarian to understand if these products are actually needed. 

USDA Animal Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) has a useful resource to help producers manage wildlife to prevent disease spread (at https://www.aphis.usda.gov/sites/default/files/2023-11/fs-manage-wildlife-prevent-ai.508.pdf). While this guidance is aimed at poultry producers protecting their flock from avian influenza, the principles can be applied to any livestock or poultry operation. Steps include removing standing water, managing ponds and basins, reducing food resources, covering waste and carcasses, and securing buildings. 

Integrated pest management allows cattle producers to evaluate multiple aspects of the operation to minimize insect pests’ effects on their herd. Adapting a control program to the region and to specific pests will provide benefits to animal welfare and productivity. For more information on biosecurity practices and BQA Daily Biosecurity Plan for Disease Prevention, visit the BQA website at www.bqa.org. 

¹ USDA APHIS 2024. The Asian Longhorned Tick: What You Need to Know Story Map. https://www.aphis.usda.gov/livestock-poultry-disease/cattle/ticks/asian-longhorned/asian-longhorned-tick-what-you-need-know. Accessed November 12, 2024. 

² USDA APHIS 2024. New World Screwworm. https://www.aphis.usda.gov/livestock-poultry-disease/cattle/ticks/screwworm. Accessed November 12, 2024. 

This article was originally published in the December 2024 issue of NCBA National Cattlemen newsletter.