That's not the paper boy -- mosquito control firm rolling out bike patrol

The company that long has held the line on mosquitoes in the suburbs is expanding the way it deploys its troops in the battle against the summer pests.

Instead of patrolling the streets in three-quarter ton trucks, employees of Clarke Environmental Mosquito Management Inc. will be on bicycles in more communities as they pitch packets of chemicals into road side catch basins.

The Roselle-based company, which has about 200 Chicago-area communities on its client list, has been expanding that aspect of its operation since introducing it about three years ago.

"We've been able to lower our carbon footprint and save some costs for the municipalities," George Balis, control consultant for Clarke, recently told Libertyville officials.

The impetus was high gasoline prices and an ongoing effort to streamline operations, Balis said.

In June and July, chemicals in packet or ingot form are dropped in catch basins to stop mosquito breeding. Bicycles will be used for that distribution in about half the towns Clarke covers.

"We rolled it out in Vernon Hills last year, which is why we're expanding it to Libertyville," Balis said.

Lake Bluff, Wauconda, Round Lake Beach, Grayslake and Lincolnshire also will be on the bike list this year in Lake County. There are about 2,100 catch basins in Libertyville.

Balis said the practice has opened the door for a new set of fitness-oriented employees. Other measures, such as using smart phones with GPS to produce instant reports have held down expenses.

"It helped on our costs which we can pass along," he said.

Libertyville's not-to-exceed contract of $25,200, which was approved Tuesday, for example, is the same price and with the same conditions as last year.

While economic problems have forced communities to cut back in many areas, mosquito abatement has not been one of them to a great degree, Balis said.

Contract adjustments have been made in some cases, such as in towns that may have dropped festival or events, but few clients have nixed it altogether, he added.

"I don't know if it's untouchable but to some extent it can be a health issue," Libertyville Village Administrator Kevin Bowens said.

Libertyville's contract includes two inspections of up to 116 sites and four inspections of up to 45 breeding sites. Areas called in by residents to a hotline number also are inspected. Catch basins are treated twice.

The contract also calls for Clarke to spray a specific area for a special event, such as Fourth of July fireworks, and three communitywide sprayings.

Balis said inspectors will be throughout the region in mid- to late-April to check woodland pools left by snow melt for evidence of mosquito breeding and will treat as needed.

However, predicting how this mosquito season will shape up is difficult, according to Balis.

"Even within the season, weather changes the dynamics," he said. "We only know a few weeks in advance."

He noted area residents can be notified before spraying for adult mosquitoes will occur in their area by calling Clarke's hotline number (800) 942-2555.