Check for spongy moth eggs before you move

Why it matters

Spongy moth spreads two ways: adult females flying short distances, and egg masses hitching a ride on things people move, camping gear, patio furniture, firewood, RVs, trailers, even lawnmowers left outside. The second pathway is the one people can actually control, and it's the reason federal regulation requires an inspection before certain interstate moves.

If you're moving from a designated spongy moth quarantine area to a non-quarantine area, you're legally required to inspect your outdoor household items and remove all life stages of the insect before you move, under Title 7, Code of Federal Regulations, Part 301.45-4(a). You can be penalized for skipping it if you were required to do it. The quarantine zone currently covers most of the Northeast and parts of the Upper Midwest, and this requirement applies to anyone relocating from that zone into any of the dozens of non-quarantine states, not just one destination.

How to do it

1. 1Inspect every outdoor item before it goes on the truck, ideally on moving day itself if you're moving between April and August. Look closely at every surface and crevice, egg masses are tan to buff colored, fuzzy, and roughly the size of a quarter, and they're often tucked into corners, undersides, and joints rather than sitting out in the open.
2. 2Scrape off anything you find with a putty knife, stiff brush, or similar tool. Drop what you scrape into a container of hot, soapy water, or seal it in a plastic bag and leave it in direct sun, both methods kill the eggs.
3. 3If you can't finish the inspection before moving day, protect the items instead of skipping the check: seal them under a tarp, keep them indoors, or load them into a closed moving truck until you can inspect them properly.
4. 4Use the official self-inspection checklist, USDA's PPQ Form 377, and check off each category as you go: recreational and camping items, household items, building materials, yard and garden items, children's playthings, and vehicles.
5. 5Keep the signed checklist with you during the move. It functions as an official certificate, and a USDA or state official can request it. A qualified certified applicator can also do the inspection for you if you'd rather not do it yourself, just make sure you get a signed copy either way.
6. 6Only move certified firewood. Firewood is one of the highest-risk items on the list, and moving untreated firewood can spread other tree pests even if it happens to be spongy-moth-free. Use only USDA- or state-certified, treated, and labeled firewood.

What actually needs checking

The official checklist is long because it covers everything that sits outside long enough to collect an egg mass. The categories that matter most:

Anything that was stored outside is worth a look, even if it isn't on the list. The full official checklist covers dozens of specific items and is worth downloading directly rather than relying on memory.