Table Of Content

Historic, Archive Document Do assume not content reflects current scientific knowledge, policies, or practices. / ro United States Departmerrt of Ai^riculture Animal and Plant HealthMInspection Servtep- py O Program Aid No.1666 JjJB 28 Keep the HomeWdnt Pest Free FEDERAL PUBLICATION Gypsy moths defoliatetrees and shrubs. Further introductions ofthis pestcould cause widespread damageto plants on both private and commercial land in the United States. APHISfile photos showa gypsy moth caterpillarand an adult male (top right) and femalewith egg mass (lower right). Items brought into the United States nnay harborforeign aninnal and plant pests that could seriously damage American crops, livestock, and forests. You are responsible for making sure your household goods don't bring foreign pests home. This leaflet explains howto inspect your household goods before moving to see ifthey harbor insects, snails, or soil. The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is concerned about further introductions of many pests, including gypsy moth and several varieties of snails. These pests can cause immense damage to our natural resources because they have few natural enemies in the United States. Because foreign soil in any amount could carry pests and animal diseases, objects contaminated with soil cannot come into the country. All military and commercial equipment (e.g., tanks and trucks) must be thoroughly washed before being returned to the United States after overseas use. Likewise, your personal property must also be soil free. Coverphotoandphotocredits: Equipment returning tothe United Statesfrom militaryaction abroad must be carefully inspected to make sure it isfree ofexotic pests and diseasesthatcould devastate U.S. agriculture. (APHIS file phototaken during Operation Desert Storm. All the remaining images comefrom APHIS' photo library.) Do-It-Yourself Inspection Inspect any household article left outdoors, stored in open or exposed areas, or stored indoors but used outdoors. The checklist included in this leaflet lists common outdoor household articles that could carry insects, snails, or soil. Carefully examine each article, clean it if necessary, and check it off the list. Be sure to enter the date and place of inspection on the checklist and sign on the bottom. This will be your official certificate of self-inspection. You must include this list with the papenA/ork accompanying your move. The giantAfrican snail (top)and othersnailscan hitchhike intothe United States on outdoorhousehold goods. Be sure to clean all goods and equipment before packing and returning tothecountry. Agriculture SelMnspection Checklist Important: Make surethis checklist goes with your household goods when you move! Name: Date: Place Inspected: Recreational or Camping Items Backboards Snowmobiles I I Backpacks IQI Sports equipment I I Boats \~} Tarps Boattrailers Tents IQI Campers Q Waders orboots Ice chests nI I Motorcycles Household Items Q Airconditioners Sheets of plastic I I n Barrels Shutters I0I Cardboard and wooden Storage sheds IQI boxes Storm/screen doors and Clothesline poles windows 1nI Clothespin bags Television antennas Empty plantcontainers I I Trash cans I I I I Fuel tanks Washing machines IQI I I Ladders Weathervanes n Outdoordoormats I I Window awnings I I Outdoorthermometers I I Refrigerators I I Building Materials Bricks Tools and toolboxes I I Cement mixing tubs Welding equipment I I IQI Lumber Workbenches I I Pipes Yard and Garden Items Animal houses (doghouses, Lawnmowers I I I I rabbit hutches, etc.) Mailboxes InI Barbecue grills Picnictables n Birdbaths Planters Bird feeders Porch or patiofurniture IQI I0I Bird houses Signs and posts Bug lights Snowblowers n 10I Carts Spreaders Coldframes Storage sheds I I 1 I Driftwood Swimming pools and I I I I Fencing swimming pool equipment Fertilizer Water hoses I0I I I Flagpoles Wheelbarrows 1OI Garden tillers I I Yard decorations Garden tools Over Children's Playthings 0 Bicycles Tire swings Q Playhouses Wagons I I Sandboxes Otheroutsidetoys like 1 I I I Sleds, toboggans trucks, sand molds Swingsets Other Items 0 Cars ortrucks stored tires/snowtires I I Carparts Any item not mentioned I I 1 I Car rannps thatwas stored outside 0 Farm items Plant nursery items 1 I Signature: The U.S. DepartmentofAgriculture (USDA) prohibits discrimination in all its programs and activities on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, religion, age, disability, political beliefs, sexual orientation, ormarital orfamilystatus. (Notall prohibited bases applyto all programs.) Personswith disabilitieswho require alternative meansforcommunication of program information (Braille, large print, audiotape, etc.) should contact USDA'sTARGETCenterat (202) 720-2600 (voice and TDD). Tofile acomplaintofdiscrimination, write USDA, Director, Office ofCivil Rights, Room 326-W, Whitten Building, 1400 IndependenceAvenue, SW, Washing- ton, DC 20250-9410 orcall (202) 720-5964 (voice andTDD). USDA is an equal opportunity providerand employer. Issued October 1999 Revised July 2003 What To Do You Find If Soil or Insect Pests or Snails Wash all soil from outdoor household articles and shoes. An effective way to dispose of insects or snails is to remove them by hand and deposit them in hot water, ammonia, household bleach, or kerosene. Scrape egg masses from their locations with a putty knife or similar flat-edged tool. Pests and dust may cause skin rashes, difficulty in breathing, or other allergic reactions. If necessary, wear gloves, protective clothing, and a dust mask while inspecting and cleaning your outdoor items. Once you have completed your inspection of the outdoor items you intend to move, protect them from being reinfested. Remember, you are the key to preventing the spread of pests on outdoor household articles. You may elect to abandon articles if they are heavily infested and of little value to you. Do your part to prevent the spread of these pests and help keep the homefront pest free. For more information, point yourWeb browserto <http://www.aphis.usda.gov>. Many kinds of pests, like khapra beetles, could harm U.S. agriculture ifaccidentally introduced. Commercial enterprises and the military are responsible forcleaning all theirequip- mentto ensure it isfree ofsoil and pests before it is brought homefrom abroad. All tanks and trucks arethoroughly inspected before being returned tothe United States. Soil contaminated with organic materials (e.g., manure, meat scraps, or caracsses) can carry animal diseases into the United States. Straw and hay, which are often used for packing materials, can harbor parasites and ticksthatcan also carry animal diseases. Make sure all soil is removed from household items and packing materials. If you find gypsy moth or other egg masses, scrape them into a container of hot water, household bleach, ammonia, or kerosene.