Sheep are particularly susceptible to flystrike because their thick wool, if sufficiently contaminated with urine and faecal material, can provide effective breeding ground for maggots even in the relative absence of wounds.
Sheep display symptoms such as agitation, loss of appetite, odour and matted wool, many of which further encourage the attraction of flies.
[1] Flystrike is problematic, not only causing loss or degradation of stock, but also requiring expenditure of both money and time for effective management.
When the flock settle, infected sheep will display signs of agitation, such as foot stamping or turning to nibble their body.
[3] Fly strike is more likely to be found in favorable environmental conditions such as temperatures between 15–38 °C (59–100 °F), recent rain, and wind speeds below 9 kilometres per hour (5.6 mph).