Paint cows like zebras to chase buffalo flies

The alternating black-and-white stripes can help the cow to be less attacked by the flies by the polarizing effect of light.

Striped paint like zebras are nearly 50% less likely to be bitten by buffaloes than regular cows, according to research published on October 3 in the journal PLOS One. Japanese researchers gathered 6 cows and painted black and white stripes, black stripes or no paint on their bodies. They then photographed the cows from the side, counted the number of bites and tracked the reactions of the cows. While the unpainted cow and black stripe cow were bitten 110 times in 30 minutes, the black and white painted cattle experienced nearly 60 bites in the same period.

The cow in the experiment was painted black and white like a zebra.(Photo: CNN).

Zebra stripes help them repel blood-sucking species. Previous research has demonstrated that flies are less likely to land on black-and-white surfaces because the polarization of light affects their perception, making it impossible for them to reduce their speed correctly. Buffaloes also prevent cows from grazing, feeding and sleeping, causing loss of productivity for the livestock industry. Because they cannot beat flies, cows lose a lot of energy to avoid being bitten. They often stand close to each other to prevent flies from attacking, which contributes to the risk of overheating and injury.

The white, water-based paint will fade over a few days, providing a less invasive solution than a pesticide. Breeders need to spray thousands of cows several times a week to get the best results. The less bite will improve the health of the herd, and at the same time benefit the environment and people.