ZeroFly Screen
ZeroFly® Screen is the first insecticide-incorporated screen that keeps livestock healthy and productive by reducing the impact of nuisance and biting flies, for example tsetse flies which are the vector of trypanosomiasis (Sleeping Sickness or nagana). It contributes to UN Millennium Development Goal (MDG) 1: Eradication of Extreme Poverty and Hunger and MDG 7: Environmental Sustainability.
Reliable & Consistent Control
ZeroFly® Screen is reliable and provides consistent, long-lasting control. UV protection is incorporated to extend durablity, and the insecticide used is the FAO and WHO-approved deltamethrin. The need for repeat intervention is reduced because the insecticide is continuously refreshed at the surface of the yarns.
Importance of Keeping Livestock Healthy
Farmers in developing countries are often small-scale, poor and have limited access to modern interventions that protect animal health. Livestock is one of the most valuable assets for these farmers. Livestock is the fastest growing nutritional source when compared to crops such as wheat and rice. But, farmers in developing countries often gain low yields from their livestock. In sub-Saharan Africa, the average milk cow produces four litres of milk; in the EU the average milk cow produces 40 litres of milk.
Maintaining healthy livestock is a major challenge. Existing tools demand repeat intervention. Biting flies can irritate farm animals enough to decrease their productivity and cause weight loss. Studies have shown that milk production can be decreased signficantly in cattle irritated by stable flies. Insects that bite and feed on livestock carry disease that can severely affect animal health and productivity.
Protecting livestock from biting files will result in higher yields for meat and maximize milk production, while minimizing the effects on farming habits. Farmers will minimize time spent treating animals or seeking veterinary care for sick animals if they use an insecticidal intervention. Reseach has shown that animals in pens with insecticide-treated screen suffered from 77% fewer flies at 10 weeks. 80% fewer defensive movements made by animals in sheds lined with treated netting protects animal health and indicates less stress.
The United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization estimates that nearly 98 percent of the 870 million hungry people live in developing countries. There, smallholder farmers produce most of the food consumed by their families and their communities and livestock is one of the farmers’ most valuable assets. In addition to food output, livestock are used for draught power, transportation, fertilizer and fuel.
ZeroFly® Screen is an important tool for farmers in developing countries. It helps keep livestock healthy and productive and protects communities from diseases spread from the animals infected by flies.
ZeroFly® Screen also supports a multi-disciplinary One Health approach, which aims to strengthen and improve the link between agriculture, improved nutritional outcomes and vector control. This approach recognizes that, in addition to tackling the issue of increasing food production, the decrease in serious disease burden will impact the percentage of the population who are able to work, along with the impact of disease on animal production. In addition to decreasing poverty and hunger, the increase in self-sufficiency leads to reduced imports and, if scaled up, provides a significant boost to the local economy.
ZeroFly® Screen is sufficient to kill most flies, though some species may survive up to 24 hours before they die.
How It Works
Studies show flies travel at low levels and will land on the fabric when approaching the animal shelters1.
ZeroFly® Screen Features
Functioning
Works with a “zero grazing” or penned-in system which has proven to be highly effective in maintaining healthy, productive animals. In this system, livestock is kept in stalls, and feed and water are brought to the animals.
Effective
Controls disease causing biting flies such as tsetse flies that transmit trypanosomiasis and nuisance flies that can irritate and reduce productivity of livestock
Long-Lasting
Insecticide continuously refreshes itself on the surface of the yarns and incluldes UV protection to extend durability and effectiveness for several years, if properly maintained
Safe
Product is incorporated with deltamethrin, a safe and effective insecticide approved by the World Health Organization and the Food and Agricultural Organization
Easy to Use
Screen can be cut to custom lengths and quickly installed on pens by a farmer using a hammer and nails.
The material is easily kept clean using a soft broom or by washing occasionally with water to prevent build up of dust
ZeroFly® Features
Compared to Features of Other Fly Control Options
