One of the questions I receive most often this time of year is, “When is the Village going to spray for mosquitoes?”
The reality is that mosquito management is much more than simply driving a truck through neighborhoods. In fact, the most effective mosquito control happens long before adult mosquitoes ever begin flying.
Before I explain our program, I’d also like to clear up a misunderstanding. There was some confusion regarding our contract with Clarke, and I was told that the Village of Round Lake does not treat ponds or standing water within our corporate boundaries. That is not correct.
The Village has always included larval control as a key component of our mosquito management program. Standing water, ponds, drainage areas, and other mosquito breeding locations within the Village are routinely monitored and treated as needed.
Depending on the location and accessibility, Clarke performs these treatments using boats, helicopters, backpack sprayers, and manual application methods. These treatments target mosquitoes before they become flying adults and are one of the most effective ways to reduce mosquito populations.
The Village of Round Lake partners with Clarke Environmental Mosquito Management, a nationally recognized leader in mosquito control, to implement a science-based Integrated Mosquito Management Program. The goal is simple: reduce mosquito populations while protecting public health and using treatments only when conditions warrant.
Monday night Clarke attended our Village Board meeting and provided some great information, explained the program and other village’s programs. The information pointed to one conclusion… the Village of Round Lake is doing everything possible to mitigate mosquitoes. They are exceptionally bad this year but we have in the right program, treating for them appropriately and working with everyone we can in our region.
It Starts with Standing Water
Mosquitoes need standing water to reproduce, so that is where our efforts begin.
Within the Village, Clarke monitors more than 130 ponds, drainage areas, and other standing water locations throughout the mosquito season. Every site is inspected at least twice each year.
About half of these locations need closer monitoring and are inspected up to six times per season. Larvicide treatments are applied only when mosquito larvae are present.
If a location is not producing mosquitoes, it is simply monitored rather than treated. If breeding activity is detected, that site is added to a more frequent inspection and treatment schedule.
This targeted approach allows resources to be focused where they will have the greatest impact—treating mosquito breeding areas before they become a nuisance to residents.
Adult Mosquito Treatments
Adult mosquito spraying is another tool, but it is only one part of the overall program.
The Village of Round Lake’s contract with Clarke includes four adult mosquito treatments throughout the season. These treatments are scheduled based on Clarke’s scientific data, mosquito surveillance, weather conditions, and regional treatment schedules.
Treatments are not performed on a fixed calendar date because effective mosquito management depends on actual conditions in the field. Clarke evaluates factors such as mosquito trap counts, rainfall, humidity, temperatures, and other environmental conditions specific to each community’s program.
As in previous years, the Village will continue monitoring conditions throughout the season and may contract with Clarke for additional treatments when the data shows they are needed. This includes tracking mosquito populations, particularly those carrying West Nile virus, and determining whether additional treatment would benefit public health.
These treatments are coordinated with neighboring communities, allowing Round Lake, Round Lake Beach, Round Lake Park, Hainesville, and Avon Township to maximize effectiveness through regional applications.
Many residents noticed other communities being sprayed before Round Lake earlier this summer. That is because treatments are not scheduled simply based on date. During the first countywide treatment period in late June, not every municipality met the criteria for treatment at the same time.
Residents who would like advance notice of scheduled adult mosquito treatments can sign up for free email or text notifications through Clarke’s Resident Portal:
https://www.clarke.com/customer-portal
Modern Technology Makes Treatments More Efficient
Mosquito control technology has changed dramatically over the years.
Today’s application equipment is far more efficient than in the past. Treatment trucks now travel approximately 18 to 24 miles per hour, compared to 5 to 8 miles per hour years ago, while applying only ounces of product instead of gallons.
Advances in application technology allow treatments to remain effective while using significantly less material and reducing application time.
Why Mosquitoes Can Still Be Bad
Even with a comprehensive mosquito management program, some factors remain outside the Village’s control.
Round Lake is surrounded by lakes, wetlands, wooded areas, drainage corridors, and privately owned properties that provide ideal mosquito habitat. Many of these locations are owned or managed by other agencies or private property owners.
For example, the Lake County Forest Preserves do not treat for nuisance mosquitoes. Their approach focuses on public health concerns, and in some cases they may temporarily close natural areas when mosquito activity becomes excessive rather than conduct nuisance spraying.
Heavy rainfall throughout the season also creates countless temporary breeding locations that can quickly increase mosquito populations across the region.
Check in on the Village of Round Lake’s Facebook and Social Media channels for more information on mosquitos and other Village related information. I would also encourage you to visit our website and listen to the meeting which is recorded. The presentation was towards the end of the meeting.
Forward Motion 
Leave a comment