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Lonsdale awards 2026 mosquito-control contract to VDCI after city survey shows strong support
Summary
The council approved a $41,998.40 VDCI proposal (Aquareslin option) for 21 adulticiding treatments and larvicide work; the 2026 budget included $47,600. Council discussed vendor experience, notification methods and survey results showing 83% support for spraying. Vote 5-0.
The Lonsdale City Council on April 9 approved Vector Disease Control International (VDCI) to provide the city’s 2026 mosquito-management program, accepting VDCI’s Option 1 proposal for $41,998.40.
City Administrator Joel Erickson summarized the Request for Proposals process: incumbent Clark Mosquito Control bid $44,100; VDCI offered two options — Option 1 (Aquareslin, a water-based permethrin product) at $41,998.40 and Option 2 (Delta Guard, a water-based deltamethrin product) at $44,888. Erickson said the 2026 budget included $47,600, so both proposals fell under the budgeted amount.
Erickson also presented a community survey showing 83% of respondents favored continuing mosquito spraying, 78% preferred the current chemical approach, 71% reported no concerns about pesticide application, and 71% opposed designating a chemical-free park. Erickson said VDCI confirmed it will spray at dusk (night) consistent with the city’s practice rather than daytime application used in some other jurisdictions.
Councilmember Scott Pelava said he generally supported continuing the program but noted some unease about selecting a contractor whose Minnesota ground-fogging experience is limited. Councilmember Brian Wermerskirchen emphasized the program’s importance given growing community events and the public-health risk posed by mosquito-borne illness. Councilmember James Vosejpka and others discussed notifying residents via the city website calendar, mass alerts and park signage; staff said notifications could be posted before scheduled spray nights.
Pelava moved to approve VDCI Option 1 (Aquareslin) for $41,998.40; Vosejpka seconded. The motion passed 5-0.
Next steps: staff will coordinate spray schedules, post advance notifications and place reminder signage in parks prior to spray nights.
