Most insects and diseases select trees and shrubs that are being stressed. Keeping your trees and shrubs healthy will reduce the pests and diseases attracted to your foliage and lessen the damage done if they are attacked. Sanitation Keep your yard as clean as possible. It is very important that homeowners be watchful when obtaining firewood from areas infested by the gypsy moth. A good rule of thumb is to never get more firewood in the summer or fall than you can burn by spring.
Vehicular movement is how gypsy moth came to Michigan.
As mentioned, gypsy moth egg masses are around for nearly nine months before they hatch. Homeowners can help reduce gypsy moth populations on their property and in their neighborhood by seeking out and destroying egg masses each year. When a gypsy moth caterpillar is about to pupate, it will look for a protected area such as a loose flap of bark, something flat nailed to a tree, woodpile of the underside of branches, etc. Once a suitable location is found, it weaves a loose net of silk around itself and transforms into a pupa. This is the resting state where the caterpillar undergoes the miracle transformation from caterpillar to moth.