In winter, cattle lice numbers increase. Cattle lice thrive in cold conditions. Populations are most noticeable during December, January and February, and decline during March when temperatures warm. Lice are transmitted from one animal to another.

Cattle with an unthrifty appearance that are leaving hair on fences and other objects after rubbing may have lice. However, other factors can mimic lice infestations, such as natural shedding, poor nutrition, mite infestations, mineral deficiency, photosensitivity and other diseases.

To determine if lice is the problem, secure the suspect animal in a chute and perform a two-handed hair parting on the top line, withers and face. Between one and five lice per square inch represents a low population, six to 10 a moderate population, and more than 10 a heavy population.

Different kinds of lice
Four cattle lice species are found in Nebraska. The biting or chewing louse (little red) Bovicola bovis, are reddish brown in color with dark bands running transversally across the body. Typically the chewing louse feeds on hair, skin, skin exudates and debris near the skin surface. This species is initially found on the shoulder, top line and back. But as populations increase, it can be found on the sides and sometimes over the whole animal. This species of louse does not require a male for eggs to be fertilized.

The other three species are sucking lice, which feed on blood, and can cause irritation, anemia, impact weight gain and even death in extreme cases.

The short-nose cattle louse, Haematopinus eurysternus, is the largest louse at 3 to 5 millimeters. It is typically found on older animals but can be found on any age or breed of cattle. This species is usually found in the neck region, dewlap, back and base of tail. The life cycle, from egg to egg-laying adult, averages 28 days, with eggs normally hatching in 13 days.

The long-nose cattle louse, Linognathus vituli, is about 2.5 millimeters in length, bluish in color and differs from other louse species by its long slender head. This louse can be found on the dewlap, shoulders, sides of neck and rump. But when numbers are high, they can be found over the entire body. Their life cycle normally takes 25 days.

The little blue cattle louse, Solenopotes capillatus, is about 1 to 2 millimeters in length, bluish in color and the smallest of the sucking lice species. It often can be found in dense patches on the dewlap, muzzle, eye area and neck. The life cycle normally takes between 21 and 22 days. Heavy populations can greatly impact cattle weight gains.

University of Nebraska and other studies indicate heavy lice populations may reduce weight gains by as much as 0.21 pound per day. These studies also indicate calves fed at a higher nutrition level had lower lice populations and were affected less severely by lice than calves fed a maintenance ration.

Key steps for louse control
Cattle louse treatment products fall into several categories: animal sprays, nonsystemic (contact) pour-on, and endectocides (systemic pour-on, absorbed internally and systemic injectable). Some nonsystemic pour-ons require just one application and some require two applications spaced 14 days apart. Systemic injectables work better on the three species of sucking lice than on the little red chewing louse. A systemic pour-on effectively kills both chewing and sucking lice. Use of systemic control products between Nov. 1 and Feb. 1 is not advised as they may cause a host-parasite reaction from killing developing cattle grubs while they are in the esophagus or spinal canal of the animal. A systemic product used during fall weaning will not be a problem. Producers who did not use a systemic during fall weaning should consider using only nonsystemic control products from November to February.

Successful louse control depends on application timing. Many livestock producers will administer an endectocide treatment at weaning time, usually late September or October with intentions of controlling internal parasites, cattle grubs and cattle lice. These fall applications may help reduce lice populations, but may not remove the infestation. A warm fall may slow down developing lice numbers. Livestock producers who use this management strategy should monitor their cattle for signs of lice especially during December, January and February. If replacement animals are brought into a herd during the winter, they should be examined for lice. If present, the animals should be isolated and treated before introduction into the existing herd.

For current Nebraska control recommendations, refer to EC1550, “Nebraska Management Guide for Insect Pests of Livestock and Horses."

When applying any insecticide control product, read and follow label instructions.

Boxler is a Nebraska Extension educator. This report is from UNL BeefWatch.