Neem Oil as an AntiFeedant for Buffalo Fly Control

Summary

The results of the preliminary studies reported here demonstrated that some formulations of neem oil, containing sufficient amounts of the active ingredient, azadirachtin (AZA), are highly effective for control of buffalo fly. This effect was manifested by flies leaving the animals (although remaining flies may well fail to bite the host cattle due to the antifeeding characteristics of neem). It was also demonstrated that effective fly control products can be dispensed via a proprietary self applicator system based on a reservoir containing a formulated product, which is brushed onto the backs of cattle via polypropylene wicks when animals pass beneath the device. However, the Self Applicator system was not adequately assessed and shown to be effective using neem based products, due to supply and formulation problems. It was also demonstrated that not all neem based products, even those commercially available overseas and allegedly containing specific and presumably effective amounts of AZA, have an impact on buffalo flies feeding on cattle hosts.