On July 1, 2014, the Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA) enacted a quarantine for gypsy moths in Lake and Cook counties.
Under the MDA’s guidelines people who plan to transport outdoor articles (boats, trailers, campers, nursery stock, patio furniture, etc.) from the two counties should inspect to ensure they are gypsy moth free before moving them to non-quarantined areas.
After years of treating the invasive pests, the MDA called for quarantine in Lake and Cook counties after trappers caught 71,258 gypsy moths statewide, 90 percent of which were caught in the Tip of the Arrowhead.
With the new rules, Minnesota becomes the 21st state to call for a partial or full quarantine of the moths. A voracious leaf eater, the larvae damage and sometimes kill trees when they strip them of leaves.
Gypsy moths are an invasive species brought to the U.S. in 1869. With few predators in North America to keep their numbers in check, the moths have worked their way from New England to the Midwest.
While the quarantine won’t stop their advancement, MDA officials hope it will slow the spread of the pests.
There are no legal restrictions on moving items within the quarantine area. However the MDA requires loggers, wood haulers and lumber mills to sign compliance agreements and follow certain rules before moving their products from the quarantine area.
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