Mosquitoes can a big problem during the summer months, but remedies offered by private contractors and the Toledo Area Sanitary District can help to turn the tide against the unwelcome pests.

“It’s the little things that really add up,” said Paul Bauman, a biologist with the Toledo sanitary district.

Little things that can help include tightening screens, wearing lightly colored clothing, or eliminating standing water.

Mosquitoes breed in water, such as in a rain barrel, an abandoned tire, or even a clogged gutter.

“You can kill a whole lot more mosquitoes by eliminating pools of standing water than by spraying once they’ve hatched,” Mr. Bauman said.

Private companies in the business use different methods of control. Rather than attack the breeding grounds of mosquitoes, companies such as the Mosquito Squad and Mosquito Terminators lay down “barrier sprays” that will repel or kill mosquitoes in an area over a period of several weeks.

The Toledo Area Sanitary District, a nonprofit under the control of Lucas County judges for the abatement and control of mosquitoes, became operational in 1947. The agency focuses on all aspects of mosquito control from surveillance, mapping, and source reduction to larval and adult mosquito control.

“We attack all stages of mosquito development,” said Mr. Bauman. “But the majority of our work is focused on either clearing or treating water to attack mosquitoes in their larval stage.”

The agency also uses a chemical-based spray meant to kill mosquitoes in flight, Mr. Bauman said. The spray operations use truck-mounted machines to “fog” mosquito-infested areas. The product used for fogging is not residual and is meant to break down quickly, he added.

Municipalities often make use of Toledo agency’s services to clear parks or public spaces, Mr. Bauman said.

“Residents of Lucas County can call us for help too,” he said. “That’s what we’re here for.”

The services are paid for by a tax in Lucas County.

Fees vary for the private companies who combat mosquitoes.

The Mosquito Squad, based in Richmond, Va., has been fighting mosquitoes and other pests for 11 years. The company has 140 franchisees nationwide and services several counties in Ohio, including Lucas, Fulton, and Williams, said Skeat Hug, president of Mosquito Squad of Northwest Ohio.

The firm has a natural spray and a regular barrier spray, which are applied to the plants and foliage to repel or kill mosquitoes and other bugs, such as ticks. They are most effective when reapplied several times, said Mr. Hug.

“The natural spray is made of oils like peppermint oil and sunflower oil,” he said.

The natural oil acts as a deterrent for the mosquitoes and lasts for about two weeks. “It’s about 65 to 75 percent effective,” he said.

The regular barrier spray is a chemical spray that lasts for about three weeks, Mr. Hug said. This spray is meant to kill any mosquitoes who take a bite out of the treated plants.

For a typical suburban home, the regular barrier spray will cost $500 for seven sprays, and the natural spray will cost $750 for 11 to 12 sprays, Mr. Hug said. A special-event spray costs $200, which entails spraying two weeks ahead, then 2-3 days ahead of an event.

Mosquito Terminators, owned by Gerald Welker, is a four-year-old company based in Maumee. The company services metro Toledo and parts of Michigan.

Mr. Welker said he offers an organic spray, made of elements such as rosemary and cloves, and a chemical spray. These sprays target mosquitoes, fleas, and ticks over a period of several weeks.

“A typical price would be around $69 to $79. It could go up to around $109 if the house has an acre or two of land attached to it,” Mr. Welker said. “It all depends on the property and the spray.”

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency maintains that mosquito pesticides do not pose an unreasonable risk to human health, but Mr. Bauman advises people to use caution before allowing chemicals to be sprayed near their homes.

“Always ask for a product label,” he said. “People should be aware of what’s being applied on their property. They should always know the risks.”

The Toledo Area Sanitary District will answer questions from the public about chemicals used for mosquito treatment. Information also is available at the agency’s website, ​tasd-mosquitoes.org.

Contact Christina Payne at: cpayne@theblade.com or 419-724-6050.

First Published June 16, 2015, 4:00 a.m.