When you move, you need to be sure not to carry uninvited guests with you. One such "guest" is the gypsy moth, Lymantria dispar; which is a highly destructive insect known for its ability to strip trees bare of all their leaves. That is why you should make the proper preparations before moving items that can be potentially infested with gypsy moth eggs or caterpillars. Below is more information about this notorious pest and a few suggestions that can help keep gypsy moths from moving along with your possessions:
What you should know about gypsy moths
Gypsy moths were imported to the United States in the mid-19th Century, and since that time, have devoured millions of acres of tree foliage in the northeastern United States and parts of the American Midwest. Curiously, only the larvae (caterpillar) of the gypsy moth is capable of causing destruction; the adult moth lives about a week and is unable to consume anything other than liquids.
To contain the problem of gypsy moth infestation, the United States Department of Agriculture has issued a quarantine of articles being moved from states affected by gypsy moths. In addition, several other states require inspection of incoming articles to ensure gypsy moths are not being accidentally imported. In both situations, the federal and state governments enforce these provisions, and you may find yourself paying costly fines for failing to comply.
How to make your move a gypsy moth-free event
As you can see, the transport of gypsy moths from quarantined states and into unprotected areas can have devastating consequences for the environment and your wallet. Fortunately, it isn't difficult to inspect your possessions for gypsy moths and removing the eggs and caterpillars is also a simple matter. Below is how you can do it:
1. Inspect your outdoor items for the presence of gypsy moths - Gypsy moth eggs and caterpillars are the most likely life stages you will find, though pupae (cocoons) and adult moths may also be found. Egg masses are light brown or tan in appearance and approximately 1 to 2 inches in diameter, and they are flat. Look for egg masses on all surfaces of objects that were outside, including those that may have only been outside for a short time.
Gypsy moth caterpillars are covered with short hairs and have blue and red dots on their backs. These caterpillars do most of their destructive work in the nighttime hours and wrap themselves up in silk nests during daylight. You may find these nests in some of your items, so don't overlook them while performing your inspection.
2. Destroy egg masses by soaking - Should you discover any egg masses during your search, you will need to remove them from your items by scraping. Use a putty knife to scrape off the egg masses, then gather up the fragments and place them in hot, soapy water. Try to gather all egg mass fragments, as even a few can still hatch should they be left in a viable state.
3. Kill caterpillars and pupae - If you find caterpillars and pupae while inspecting your possessions, then you will need to remove and kill them. Use a pair of tweezers to grasp the caterpillars and pupae; though gypsy moth caterpillars do not sting, their tiny hairs may be irritating to some persons. After grabbing the insects, drop them into a jar of rubbing alcohol to dispatch them quickly.
4. Document your efforts - If your moving truck or vehicle is inspected by a state or federal official, then you will want to be able to present documentation that you inspected your items for gypsy moths. As such, keep written records as you proceed with the process above. Make notes of any findings, including what items contained the moth eggs, larvae or pupae, and also be sure to indicate the date and time of inspection.
For more information, contact a company like Bekins Van Lines Inc.
