The destructive gypsy-moth caterpillar.
Escaping a laboratory roughly 150 years ago, they first feasted on New England’s forests before blazing a trail of destruction westward and southward. Their hunger apparently knows no bounds.
Sounds like an eco-disaster movie poster, doesn’t it? Well, this story is the real deal and, instead of coming to a theater near you, this menace might well be in your own backyard.
Introducing…the gypsy moth.
Eventually making their way to Michigan, these ravenous pests ultimately infiltrated the state to such a degree that all our counties are considered under quarantine, whether you live in Ann Arbor, Gross Pointe, Canton, Livonia or St. Clair Shores.
Under quarantine
The government knows all about it…and they want you and interstate moving companies such as All Around Moving & Storage to help. By the way: It’s the law. These pests represent such an ecological threat that the U.S. Department of Agriculture requires those living in an infested area to inspect and, if needed, remove gypsy-moth eggs from household items before moving out of state to a non-infested site. You also must complete and submit an official inspection certificate to the USDA.
Capable of killing 300-plus tree species via their voracious appetite for leaves, the chomping culprits are the caterpillars, not the full-grown moths. These pests have defoliated more than 75 million U.S. acres since 1970.
As a Michigan moving company dedicated to ensuring your move is the best it can be, we at All Around Moving & Storage want you to know the facts about the gypsy moth so these pests don’t upset your move.
If you’re planning an interstate move or full-fledged cross country move and relocating from any area within the following states, you’ll need to conduct a gypsy-moth inspection:
- New Hampshire
- Vermont
- Massachusetts
- Rhode Island
- Connecticut
- New York
- New Jersey
- Pennsylvania
- Maryland
- Delaware
- Michigan
Other impacted regions are Washington D. C. and portions of Maine, Virginia, West Virginia, North Carolina, Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Wisconsin and Minnesota.
Search and destroy
USDA permits two removal routes: Conduct your own inspection using the government’s self-inspection checklist or hire a certified pesticide applicator.
Doing the job yourself? Experts say to check for gypsy-moth egg masses on surfaces and crevices of all outdoor household items. These include mailboxes, bird feeders, grills, lawn equipment, bicycles, ladders, water hoses, patio furniture, toys and trailers. If found, remove the egg masses, then destroy them. First, scrape them off with a tool such as a putty knife or stiff brush. Then destroy egg masses (and other life stages, such as larvae) by placing them in a container of hot, soapy water or sealing them in a plastic bag and placing in sunlight.
USDA officials advise marking off each task on the checklist as it’s completed. If you’re hiring a third-party pesticide applicator, make sure he provides you with a completed and signed checklist.
Government officials say those moving between April and August should conduct the inspection on moving day (female moths lay eggs and caterpillars spread during spring and summer). If that’s impossible, items must be protected from possible infestation via temporary storage. Either seal them under a tarp, move them indoors or stow them in a closed moving truck.
It’s important to give your professional movers a copy of the completed checklist. That’s because a USDA or state official could request to view it at any point during an interstate move. In fact, USDA officials recommend keeping the checklist for at least five years after your cross country move is completed.
All Around Moving & Storage of Romulus, Michigan, will carefully transport your cherished possessions while we work together to leave the pests behind. Contact us today at (734) 941-2280. We want to be your full service moving company.
