Mosquito Control

Notify Clarke of stagnant water sites in the area by calling the Clarke Mosquito Hotline at 800-942-2555.

The Village of Round Lake regularly contracts with Clarke Mosquito Control to spray for mosquitoes. All Round Lake area villages are participating in an abatement program for maximum effectiveness. Mosquitoes are most prevalent at dawn, dusk and early evening. If you must be outdoors during these times, wear long-sleeved clothing and pants. Use insect repellent sparingly.

The Village contracts with Clarke for spraying the wetlands for mosquito larvae control as well as several "adult" sprayings. This "adult spraying" is what you see happening on your streets. However, the larvae control is the more important of the two, as it results in less mosquitoes overall. As you may know, much of Round Lake is surrounded by wetlands - ideal breeding grounds for mosquitoes. All four Round Lake Villages have contracted for mosquito spraying hence making the overall effort more effective.

For more up-to-date information on West Nile and its impact in Illinois, see the Illinois Department of Public Health's website. For information on West Nile's impact on the US in general, see the CDC's West Nile site - an excellent web page that will shows details on the statistics, surveillance, and control of the Virus.

Clarke Bulletin: Mosquito Annoyance Advisory

Situation: Recent rainfalls in northeast Illinois will generate an abundance of mosquitoes beginning the week of June 7, specifically a resurgence of the floodwater mosquito (Aedes vexans). Precipitation levels are 125% above average May levels creating ideal mosquito habitats.

About Aedes vexans: The floodwater mosquito is particularly annoying and is the primary nuisance mosquito in Illinois. It lays its eggs - as the name implies - in areas subjected to intermittent flooding. The eggs can lie dormant for two to three years or until water reaches them, at which point they hatch. The mosquitoes have a flight range of 15 miles, which enables them to migrate into populated areas and override local larviciding efforts. Brood Prediction Method: The significant variables that determine the occurrence of these nuisance-causing broods are precipitation and daily average temperature. In 1967, Clarke Mosquito Control developed a thermal summation technique, which can predict the arrival of Aedes vexans broods and peak annoyance periods. The precise knowledge of when peak annoyance periods will occur, in conjunction with light trap counts and public feedback, enables accurate timing of adult mosquito control applications.

Clarke's Contingency Plan: Clarke will continue its integrated pest management (IPM) approach to mosquito control during this period that includes the continued surveillance of populations, inspection and treatment of breeding sites, by both air and ground. In direct response to the impending large mosquito population, Clarke has implemented a four-part contingency. Clarke has also mobilized all of its equipment and personnel to fully serve its clients. The elements of the plan include:

  1. Intensify the inspection and treatment with larvicides of all water-holding areas that breed floodwater mosquitoes
  2. Monitor the development and migration of mosquito broods
  3. Recommend and perform ULV adulticiding applications when necessary
  4. Distribute informational materials to all service areas for redistribution to residents.

West Nile Virus 2004: As of May 27, West Nile Virus has been identified in mosquito pools in DuPage County and in dead birds in DuPage, Champaign, Stephenson, Winnebago and Adams counties. This is the earliest that positive mosquito pools have been identified in Illinois, as the first pools in 2003 were identified in late June. Though floodwater mosquitoes are not a strong vector for West Nile transmission, a jump in temperature can create ideal conditions for the Culex mosquito, West Nile's main vector.

Residents' Responsibilities: Each homeowner should locate and eliminate potential breeding sites by emptying standing water from children's pools, gutters, recycling bins and other artificial containers. Notify Clarke of stagnant water sites in the area by calling the Clarke Mosquito Hotline at 800-942-2555.

Individual Protection: Use mosquito repellent when outdoors between dusk and dawn when mosquitoes are most active. Be sure window screens provide sufficient protection.