Wisconsin Gypsy Moth Quarantine

What is a quarantine?

A gypsy moth quarantine is a system of rules administered by the USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service and the Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection. The rules are intended to prevent the spread of gypsy moth from infested areas to non-infested areas. People moving outdoor materials and woody products can inadvertently transfer these egg masses to new areas.

How does an area become quarantined?

To be quarantined, a county must have several years of high trap catches (10 or more males per trap) or an established breeding population.

Each year, statewide trapping and egg mass survey data is compiled. Based on this data, additional counties may be considered for quarantine. All of eastern Wisconsin is under quarantine for gypsy moth.

Click here to see the nationwide quarantine map (PDF). You will need a PDF reader to view this document.

Gypsy Moth Regulations

It is illegal to move or transport any wood product or outdoor household articles (OHAs) that have been exposed to gypsy moth from a quarantined area to a non-quarantined area without inspection or certification, ATCP statute 21.10 (PDF).

The following regulated articles require inspection and certification:

The movement of regulated articles from a generally infested area into or through a non-infested area will require documentation by one of the following:

• Plant Protection and Quarantine (PPQ) Form 540 (Certificate)
• PPQ Form 530 (Limited Permit)
• A signed “Accurate Statement” (for logs, pulpwood, and woodchips)
• Self-Inspection Check List from Program Aid "Your Next Move Gypsy Moth-Free"
• PPQ Form 527 (Sticky Back Certificate) (for nursery stock)
• Rubber Stamp Certificate (for nursery stock)
• Qualified Certified Applicator Document (for OHAs and mobile homes)

If establishments regularly ship large quantities of regulated articles outside the generally infested area, the establishments must operate under a Compliance Agreement. If establishments infrequently ship regulated articles from a generally infested area, PPQ and/or State personnel will inspect and certify individual shipments.

What is an Accurate Statement?

It is a document, prepared by an employee of an establishment operating under a Compliance Agreement, which will allow the establishment to ship logs, pulpwood and/or wood chips. Along with other items, the Accurate Statement includes a certifying statement, information on the type of regulated article, the amount and/or number of regulated articles, and the signature of the inspecting employee.

What is a Compliance Agreement?

It is an official document which specifies the conditions to be followed for growing, handling or moving regulated articles. An example would be a written agreement between a shipper (a person or company) engaged in handling or moving regulated articles; in the agreement, the shipper of the regulated articles agrees to comply with certain requirements to allow shipment of the regulated articles.

What is a Qualified Certified Applicator Document?

It is the document used by a pest control operator who is certified by the State or the USDA for the interstate movement of outdoor household articles.

Through inspection and treatment of regulated articles, the risk of transporting gypsy moth to non-infested areas is minimized.

Firewood and Gypsy Moth

Firewood is an ideal place for gypsy moth as well as other invasive pests.

The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources restricts firewood on all state properties as follows: no firewood is allowed from out of state, from a emerald ash borer quarantined county or from more than 25 miles away from the destination campground. Firewood is available at or very near most state campgrounds. All firewood should be used during your visit.

For More Information

See the Gypsy Moth Program Manual (2.5 MB PDF) for more detailed information about gypsy moth regulations. You will need a PDF reader to view this document.

• Firewood

Learn more about firewood facts and rules on the DNR website.

• Nurseries

Nursery inspectors: there are nine nursery inspectors in Wisconsin, each with a specific territory (1-page PDF). You will need a PDF reader to view this document.

• Moving wood products within Wisconsin

Contact Christopher Deegan at 608-224-4573 or e-mail christopher.deegan@wisconsin.gov.

• Moving wood products out of Wisconsin

Contact JoAnn Cruse at 608-231-9545 or e-mail Joann.M.Cruse@usda.gov.