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Australia's resource for control of worms, flies and lice in sheep,
and worms in goats

Scary fact: Tarantula venom drench?

"We pick the spiders up in our hands…Then we hold them over two small containers angled for the orientation of the fangs…”

University of Queensland researchers have found Tarantula venom is active against barber’s pole worms.  Of course, setting estimates of WHP and ESI will be "hairy"! >> Read more.

The quick quiz

This 3-question quick quiz tests your knowledge of sheep parasites and their control. 

  1. Above what daily maximum temperature do significant amounts of barber’s pole worm eggs hatch if moisture is not limiting?
  2. Early season flystrike prevention relies on what strategy to reduce flystrike?
  3. What is the most likely cause of a failed attempt to eradicate lice?

>> Take the quiz.

State Outlooks for July 2016

If worms are not currently a problem (as autumn was generally dry), then they are predicated to be at seriously high levels in the next few weeks due to the recent warm, wet conditions. 

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Tarantulas to combat worms
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New South Wales
>> full report

Now is the ideal time to deal with lingering barber’s pole and fluke infections. Some sheep are starting to look ‘rubbed’ indicating growing lice infestations.

Victoria
>> full report

Monitor lambs every two to three weeks as worm egg counts are expected to rise as winter progresses.

Queensland
>> full report

Worm egg counting can save on unnecessary drenches.

Western Australia
>> full report

As many farmers have found, it’s a pretty wormy year in the west.

Tasmania
>> full report

Egg counts are pleasingly low, but there are indicators of trouble ahead.

South Australia
>> full report

Monitor now to determine the need for the pre-lambing drench and to also assess the effectiveness of your winter worm control program.