Zebra mussels are the worst, they cling to everything, threatening fisheries, hydropower plants, agricultural irrigation and water supplies.
Image: Canva
In Manitoba, zebra mussels are designated as an aquatic invasive species (AIS) and are prohibited.
Zebra mussels have been found at all life stages, including some that are extremely small (size of grain of sand), and are often found inside the moss or algal ball itself. This makes it difficult to detect whether your moss or algal ball is infected simply by visual inspection.
Thanks to a well co-ordinated effort across Western Canada between the department and its partners in neighbouring jurisdictions, and swift action and collaboration from retailers across Western Canada, moss or algal balls are being removed from the supply chain, ensuring that potentially contaminated products are no longer available for distribution or purchase.
Steps to safely treat and dispose of moss or algal balls are as follows:
Step 1: Treat the moss or algal balls:
– place into a plastic bag, seal and freeze (preferably in a deep freezer) for at least 24 hours; or
– place in boiling water for at least one minute and then let cool.
Step 2: Dispose of moss or algal balls:
– place it and any of its packaging in a sealed plastic bag and dispose in household garbage.
To prevent zebra mussels from getting into water bodies, do not dispose of the moss, algal ball or any aquarium or water-garden contents (e.g., substrate, plants etc.):
– by flushing down the toilet,
– by putting down drain, or
– in a compost.
After moss or algal balls have been removed from an aquarium, do not dispose of untreated water down the drain or into any residential water system or waterbody.
More information aboue Zebra Mussels can be found on the link below.
