THE BLOWFLY MENACE

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LXI, Issue 18587, 22 December 1934, Page 16

THE BLOWFLY MENACE

LOSSES AMONG FLOCKS

POVERTY BAY CONDITIONS

The blowily menace has assumed serious proportions among some of the Hocks in the Gisborne district, and many losses of sheep have been reported. Residents of the town find the Hies bad enough to control, and during the recent hot spell they have increased enormously in numbers. As a result, screens fur doors and windows have heen in great demand. Out in the country where the conditions for breeding are much more favorable than in the town, except where filth and decayed matter has been allowed to lie about, fhe position is much more serious. Animals that have been allowed to get into a dirty condition or which have had sores that have been difficult to heal have been badly attacked, and on some properties numbers of sheep have boon lost, the attacks of tho blowflies having been so bad that maggots have gained control in myriads on the living sheep. In hot weather farmers are always troubled with flies, but the position appears to be accentuated this year. The weather has been hotter than is usual at this time of the year, and this has encouraged the development of the flies to such a great extent that they have become a menace. Steps are being taken by farmers to keep a sharp look-out for dead animals or refuse and to have these buried or burned immediately.