Your Move Gypsy Moth Free


Protect your new neighborhood and surrounding natural areas before you move. Simply inspect your outdoor household articles (lawn furniture, yard equipment, outdoor toys, and the like) for gypsy moth egg masses and remove them. Without checking, you can unwittingly bring the moth with you and risk killing the shrubbery, trees, and forests that attracted you to your new community.

Egg masses on lawn mower

Pupae

Larvae

Female (top) and Male Gypsy Moth

Download USDA's "It's the Law: Before Moving, Check for the Gypsy Moth" factsheet and required checklist to learn everything you need to know to safeguard your new community against gypsy moth.

The gypsy moth is one of the most destructive pests of trees and shrubs to ever be introduced into the United States. Gorging themselves on leaves, gypsy moth caterpillars defoliate, weaken, and can kill more than 300 different species of trees. Since 1970, gypsy moths have defoliated more than 75 million acres in the United States. To help prevent the further spread of this destructive pest, the U.S. Department of Agriculture requires homeowners to inspect and remove gypsy moth egg masses from household goods prior to moving from an infested to a non-infested area.
Check the map to find out if you live in a quarantine area. If you do, you will need to inspect your household goods for gypsy moth if you're moving to a non-infested area.

Print a copy of the self-inspection checklist or hire a participating state-licensed pesticide applicator to inspect your outdoor household articles.  Check items off on your checklist.

Carefully inspect all of your outdoor household articles like patio furniture, children's toys, and lawn equipment for gypsy moth egg masses. Remove and destroy any egg masses you find (see the checklist for instructions).

Keep a copy of your completed checklist in the moving van in case it is requested by a USDA official at any point during your trip. This completed checklist is an official certificate that will satisfy the requirements of all noninfested States.