Flystrike is one of the most damaging and costly animal-health issues facing Australian sheep producers. It’s painful, fast-moving, and expensive, costing the industry millions of dollars every year. The best way to protect your flock (and your bottom line) is to stay ahead of it with timely, strategic prevention.
One of the most trusted tools is the CLiK range from Elanco. But with three CLiK products now on the market (CLiK Spray-On, CLiK Extra, and CLiKZiN) knowing which one to reach for can save you time, stress, and money.
Below is a clear, updated breakdown to help you make the right choice.
What’s in the CLiK Range?
All CLiK products prevent flystrike using the same active ingredient: dicyclanil. The differences lie in protection length, wool-length suitability, and withholding periods. Understanding these differences is the key to choosing the right tool for your season, shearing pattern, and marketing timeline.
1. CLiK Spray-On
The flexible, rain-resistant option — suitable for all wool lengths
CLiK Spray-On is the original and most commonly used CLiK product. It can be applied off-shears or at any wool length, making it the most flexible choice for mixed mobs, unpredictable weather, or staggered shearing.
Key Benefits:
- Apply at any wool length, including off-shears
- Contains Rain-Lock™ technology to help resist wash-off
- 18–24 weeks flystrike protection
- Prevents breech, body, poll and wound strike (including marking wounds)
Withholding & ESI:
- Meat WHP: 28 days
- Wool WHP: 3 months
- ESI: 9 weeks
Best for:
Producers needing flexible timing, variable wool length management, or early-season protection before conditions peak.
2. CLiK Extra
Maximum protection — up to 29 weeks
CLiK Extra is the longest-lasting flystrike prevention product available in Australia. With 65 g/L dicyclanil (around 30% more active than standard CLiK), it delivers serious, season-long confidence.
Key Benefits:
- Up to 29 weeks of protection
- Extra concentration for extended coverage
- Helps reduce selection pressure for resistance when applied correctly
- Suitable for off-shears or woolly sheep
- Protects mulesing and marking wounds
- Reduces the need for repeat treatments
Withholding & ESI:
- Meat WHP: 21 days
- Wool WHP: 3 months
- ESI: 9 weeks
Best for:
Long, high-pressure fly seasons or when you want a single application to cover the bulk of spring and summer.
3. CLiKZiN
Shorter protection with very short withholding — ideal for marketing flexibility
CLiKZiN uses the same active but at a lower concentration, giving shorter protection while dramatically reducing withholding periods.
Key Benefits:
- 11 weeks flystrike protection
- Suitable from 3 weeks after shearing
- Short WHP & ESI — ideal for sale or processing
Withholding & ESI:
- Meat WHP: 7 days
- Wool WHP: 1 month
- ESI: 21 days
Best for:
Sheep heading to market, lambs following marking, or for late-season strike pressure when you only need short-term cover.
How To Choose the Right CLiK Product?
| Situation | Best Product | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Any wool length / off-shears | CLiK Spray-On | Most flexible; Rain-Lock formula |
| Long fly season | CLiK Extra | Up to 29 weeks cover |
| Tight withholdings / selling soon | CLiKZiN | Short WHP & ESI |
| Want longest protection on the market | CLiK Extra | Industry-leading duration |
| Mixed mobs | CLiK Spray-On | Works on all wool lengths |
How to Maximise Protection?
- Apply before fly numbers build up
- Ensure correct band width and applicator calibration
- Treat clean sheep (dags, stain and wet wool reduce effectiveness)
- Rotate chemical groups across seasons to help prevent resistance
- Remember: CLiK products prevent flystrike — they do not treat existing wounds
- Always allow sheep to be fully dry after treatment before re-handling
What if I used CLiK last year?
Because all CLiK products use the same active ingredient (dicyclanil), it’s good practice to rotate out of the CLiK chemistry to reduce resistance.
A strong alternative is Avenge® PLUS FLY, which uses imidacloprid and provides up to 14 weeks protection against flystrike, with fast knockdown and suitability for long wool.
Other actives worth considering include:
- Ivermectin products (e.g. Blowfly & Lice, Jetaway)
- Cyromazine products (Venus, Vetrazine, Cyguard, Bang, etc.)
- Spinosad (Extinosad Eliminator)
If you’re unsure, call in store and our staff can help you build a rotation plan based on your shearing pattern, fly history and market timings.
Final Word
Flystrike prevention is all about timing, product choice, and staying ahead of the season. The CLiK range provides sheep producers with strong and proven protection, but selecting the right CLiK product can lead to improved welfare, reduced hassles, and more predictable costs.
If you’d like help selecting the best option for your flock or checking stock availability, drop into your nearest AW Vater & Co branch or give the team a call. We’re here to help keep your sheep healthy and your season on track.
Want more info? Check out the application guide here.
