How Do Insecticide Ear Tags Work?

An insecticidal ear tag is made from molded PVC and contains a slow-release insecticide to kill flies with direct contact. Tags get attached to the animal’s ear the same as identification tags do. After attachment, the insecticide begins releasing small volumes every day for the next 3-4 months. The active ingredient in each tag gets transferred to the animal through hair follicles during natural grooming efforts. Chemicals do not get absorbed into meat or milk products because of the slow-release process.

If you’re curious how quickly the insecticidal cattle ear tags work, Y-Tex says studies have found a lethal dose of insecticide on hind leg hair clippings 3 days after tagging. This means the chemical traveled from the back of the ear to the back leg in just three days, and it was a strong enough dose to be effective against pests.Review safety instructions from each individual tag package before you apply any cattle tag. Also restrain the animal to make the process easier on both the animal and the handler. Apply antiseptic solution on the button to avoid post-tagging infections, too.

Pin the tag between the pieces of cartilage – directly below the main piece that runs across the middle of the ear, and above the smaller cartilage below it. If the animal already has a tag below the main cartilage, pin above the main cartilage just below the smaller cartilage at the top of the ear. Some instructions may recommend two tags per animal, so be sure to double check before you finalize your order.