How Do Gypsy Moths Arrive in Washington?
• Gypsy moths can come into Washington when people move here from infested states and accidentally transport egg masses attached to their vehicles, outdoor furniture, or other outdoor items. • Washington State maintains a comprehensive grid of over 20,000 pheromone traps to detect new introductions of gypsy moth. • Trapping allows for early detection and monitoring of introduced gypsy moths. • Once a moth is caught, a high-density grid of traps is installed and egg mass searches are done to determine if moths have begun to breed and spread. • Many introductions die out spontaneously. • A detailed report of Washington trapping results is available from the Washington State Department of Agriculture.
