Fleeing a laboratory roughly 150 years ago, they first feasted on New England’s forests before blazing a destructive trail westward and southward. Their hunger apparently knows no bounds.

Sounds like an eco-disaster movie poster, right? 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.

Under quarantine

The government knows all about it…and they want you and long distance movers such as Jackson’s Relocation Services of Sedalia, Missouri 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 necessary, remove gypsy-moth eggs from their household items before moving out of state to a non-infested location. An official inspection certificate also must be completed and submitted 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—and these pests have defoliated more than 75 million U.S. acres since 1970.

Know the facts

As one of the top moving companies in Missouri, we’re dedicated to ensuring your move is the best it can be. We at Jackson’s Relocation Services 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 to Sedalia or Lake of the Ozarks, or even such Kansas locations as Fort Leonard Wood, Lansing or Leavenworth, 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 and 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 eradication 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 the surfaces and crevices of all outdoor household items, including mailboxes, bird feeders, grills, lawn equipment, bicycles, ladders, water hoses, patio furniture, toys and trailers. Destroy any egg masses found. 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 April through 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 home mover a copy of the completed checklist. (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 completing your cross-country move. Jackson’s Relocation Services will carefully transport your cherished possessions while we work together to leave the pests behind. Contact us today at either (660) 826-6898 or (800) 452-6683. We want to be your interstate moving company.