Lice Control

There are three species of sheep lice, the head louse, the foot louse and the body louse. Of these, the body louse (Bovicola ovis) causes the major economic loss by reducing the quantity and quality of wool produced. The cost of lice to the Australian sheep industry has been estimated at between $169 - $350 million annually, of which South Australia’s contribution is approximately 10%.

In addition to the direct economic effects of lice, there are concerns about the chemicals used for controlling lice. New environmental legislation in Europe, to be phased in from 1999 to 2007, will place limits on acceptable levels of insecticide residues in effluent from wool scouring plants. If residue levels in Australian wool are not reduced there is the likelihood of reduced market access and the loss of wool’s image as a pure natural fibre.

There have been concerns about exposure of shearers and farm workers to louse control chemicals, disposal of dipping effluent and resistance in louse populations to a number of products.

Currently there are no alternatives to chemicals for treating louse infestations. Therefore it is increasingly important that woolgrowers adopt an integrated approach to control as advocated in the LICECHECK program. When control treatments must be applied it is essential that they are applied carefully, according to label directions and current recommendations so that unacceptable residues are not present in the wool when the sheep are shorn. More information can be found in fact sheets available as part of the LICECHECK program.