Citizen concerns over chemical exposure have temporarily clipped the wings of Munster’s mosquito-spraying regimen.
Town officials announced Thursday on social media that it’s “suspending mosquito spraying at this time” after two residents presented the issue at the June 1 Town Council meeting, though a number of residents were said to have also emailed administrators with their concerns. The town previously announced May 31 that Public Works would start spraying the town with “an EPA-registered mosquito control product.”
Resident Cindy Ostermann, a former oncology nurse, said she’s concerned that the product Munster uses, an insecticide called Anvil, has harmful effects even if a residence opts out of spraying.
“When I research these chemicals, it looks like more long-term studies are needed, but there’s some available information that indicates that exposure may be associated with eye, skin, nose, throat irritation, breathing problems, including coughing, losing chest tightness, and nervous spasms,” she said. “As a parent, I worry about my children playing in the yard after spraying. I’ve also been told that residents can opt out of spraying; however, if the neighboring properties are still being sprayed, it raises the question of how effective that opt out really is when chemicals can drift onto adjacent properties.
“I believe it would be a lot safer if residents purchase their own mosquito traps for their backyard, and they can take stuff to eliminate breathing areas around their home by eliminating (standing) water.”
Resident Tom Jurich added that sunlight rendering the product inert doesn’t save other insects because they don’t go to sleep at night.
“Monarch butterflies, bees, they’re out in the plants, the trees, the flowers, the bushes. Come to my yard someday; I’ve already got monarch butterflies. I’ve got eggs in my yard. This is going to deter them from being them,” Jurich said. “Do we have West Nile in town? I don’t think so. Let’s make this town safe and not just do something that’s convenient.
In 2025, Lake and Porter counties had one human West Nile Virus case apiece, according to the Indiana Department of Health’s Mosquito-Borne Illness Dashboard. Lake County had at least 28 mosquito pools test positive for West Nile, while Porter County had 11 mosquito pools with West Nile.
Most people who are infected with West Nile virus will not develop symptoms, but those who do may experience a mild form of the illness, which can include fever, headache, body aches, swollen lymph glands or a rash, according to the IDOH. Some people will develop a more severe form of the disease affecting the nervous system, including inflammation in the brain and spinal cord, muscle paralysis or even death.
People over 60 and those with underlying health conditions tend to be at greater risk for developing more severe forms of the virus.
Residents can take precautions, including eliminating standing water in their yards, using EPA-registered insect repellent, wearing long sleeves, and avoiding going outside during peak feeding at dusk and dawn.
Town Council President Joe Hofferth, R-2, said concerns were brought to the council two years ago as well, and the council is happy to look into the product and other possible solutions for mosquito and other bug mitigation. He and other officials will update residents as soon as they make a decision, he said.
Michelle L. Quinn is a freelance reporter for the Post-Tribune.