Moving Industry Helps Stop Gypsy Moth in Its Tracks

Abbey Powell, USDA APHIS Public Affairs

Your Move Gypsy Moth Free Campaign Goals • Raise awareness about threat of gypsy moths to our

forests and community landscapes • Teach the public how to prevent the spread of this pest• Engage moving companies to help spread the word • Increase compliance with Federal law to inspect outdoor

household items for gypsy moth egg masses before they are transported from infested to uninfested areas.

Campaign MessageInspect for egg masses and remove them before you move.

New infestations are typically caused by gypsy moth egg masses that are accidentally transported by people moving or travelling.

AMSA represents about half of all U.S. commercial moving companies (@ 4,000members) including interstate moving and storage companies, local movers, international movers plus industry suppliers and state associations.

American Moving and Storage Association

Ad in AMSA’s magazine, called "Direction," with the gypsy moth checklist

The Moving Industry as Allies in OutreachTo inform the moving industry and the general public about the legal responsibilities when conducting a move and the dangers EGM poses to the health of our Nation’s forests and community landscapes.

AMSA got a $75,000 Farm Bill cooperative agreement

AMSA ran a paid public service campaign in summer 2016 and 2017

Campaign Tactics: • Dedicated web pages for consumers and professionals

• Blog article on the challenge and role public plays

• Articles for consumers and professional movers

• Radio and television spots in the EGM quarantine area

to explain how to spot EGM life forms and destroy them.

• Paid web banner ads

• Google ad words using moving-related keywords

• Educational webinar from APHIS expert as member

benefit

JAN FEB MAR APR MAY JUN JUL AUG SEPT OCT NOV DEC2005 6.57% 5.84% 7.26% 7.42% 8.86% 11.96% 10.95% 11.13% 8.50% 7.74% 6.95% 6.80%2007 6.68% 5.97% 7.29% 7.07% 9.57% 12.54% 11.75% 11.82% 7.57% 7.46% 6.49% 5.80%2009 5.84% 5.46% 6.38% 6.63% 9.01% 13.20% 12.76% 10.72% 8.03% 7.81% 6.49% 7.30%2011 6.55% 5.66% 6.99% 7.19% 8.67% 11.33% 10.93% 11.61% 8.79% 7.62% 6.93% 7.13%2013 6.58% 5.91% 7.01% 7.34% 9.34% 11.46% 11.40% 10.88% 8.31% 8.13% 6.94% 6.71%2015 6.78% 5.86% 7.25% 7.68% 8.82% 11.49% 11.67% 10.29% 8.67% 8.01% 6.56% 6.92%

AMSA’s timed their campaign based on industry data of the percentage of moves by month.

June-August are the busiest three months for movers.

member article- ProMover.org consumer article at Moving.org

45 min. webinar to moving industry

Article on moving tips for consumers with gypsy moth messaging1,880 clips reaching 157.2 million people

Article on how to comply with gypsy moth regulations2,083 clips reaching 173.8 million people

Online banner ads reached more than 6 million people

AMSA targeted over 336 million people to help make their moves gypsy moth free

ogether we can help save our country’s majestic view for the next generation.

“The landscape belongs to the person who looks at it.”

Ralph Waldo Emerson