Vinegar kill zebra mussels is not always easy, but there are some treatments that are effective in eradicating the invasive population. One treatment that can be used is 2% chlorine bleach. This has been shown to be effective in killing zebra mussels, and it is recommended that this type of treatment is used if the problem is in the drinking water supply.
2% chlorine bleach is effective at killing zebra mussels
Using 2% chlorine bleach to kill zebra mussels is a tried and true method of controlling invasive mussels. This technique is effective on its own, but it has its share of drawbacks, like the requirement of special sampling equipment and a good dose of bravery on the part of the crew.
Although there is little doubt that the use of chlorine in water treatment is effective, a better strategy may be to augment the disinfectant with something that can kill the beast. Here, the best option is to use bromine and chlorine in combination. These chemicals are not only less toxic, but more effective. Using a combination of these compounds is an efficient means of controlling zebra mussel infestations.
Another method is the use of the latest in water treatment technology, such as the high concentration chlorine solution, and other technologies such as filtration, disinfection, and electrostatic precipitation. These technologies have the capability of removing many zebra mussels in an hour or less.
Symptoms of a zebra mussel infestation
Symptoms of a zebra mussel infestation include fouling of docks, marinas, boat ramps, and boat engines. They may also foul beaches. They are invasive and can quickly spread across lakes and rivers. They may also affect the taste and smell of drinking water.
Zebra mussels are small, bivalve shellfish that live underwater. Their shells D-shaped and have alternating dark and light stripes. They are typically one quarter to one and a half inches long. They armed with byssal threads, rootlike threads of protein that help them to attach to manmade surfaces. They found in freshwater lakes, rivers, and ponds in Europe and the Caspian Sea.
Zebra mussels are filter feeders that remove large amounts of microscopic algae, phytoplankton, and other suspended particulates in the water. They can filter one quart of water per day. They are also able to produce 30,000 to 500,000 eggs during their reproductive cycle.
Identifying a zebra mussel in a moss ball
Identifying a zebra mussel in a moss ball isn’t impossible, but it does require an investigation. Zebra mussels, a freshwater mussel, are native to eastern Europe, and found in pet stores in at least 21 states. Zebra mussels introduced into nearby waterways and devastate local ecosystems.
In August, the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife alerted to zebra mussels in marimo moss balls. These plants used to decorate aquariums. ODFW’s Invasive Species Program sent an investigator to the Salem, Oregon area to investigate. A representative from the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife’s Invasive Species Program visited several stores, found viable zebra mussels in a moss ball product, and seized the product.
The zebra mussel one of the most invasive freshwater mussels in the world, and has found in pet stores in more than 30 state. State and federal officials concerned about zebra mussels released into storm drains and flushed into local waterways.
Keeping zebra mussels out of water intake
Keeping zebra mussels out of your water intake is vital to the health of your community. These invasive mussels can harm wildlife, interfere with water treatment operations, and limit water flow. They can also foul boats, docks, marinas, and other water-related facilities.
Zebra mussels are small, fingernail-sized mussels that float on the water. Their shells are made of two hinged valves that joined by a ligament. They also have byssal threads, which allow them to adhere to hard surfaces underwater.
Zebra mussels are a major problem in the Great Lakes region. They are able to quickly colonize water intake pipes and docks, reducing the flow of water to power plants, fisheries, and other facilities. These invasive mussels can also affect the taste of drinking water. They can also foul boat hulls and engine outdrives.
