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Invasive
Species:
Watch
Out
for
Zebra
Mussels
- Zebra
Mussels
(Dreissena
Bugensis)
are
an
invasive
species
that
have
been
found
infecting
the
waterways
of
Renfrew
County
within
the
past
3
years.
They
were
brought
overseas
in
ship
ballasts
from
Asia
and
were
first
found
in
the
Great
Lakes.
Since
then
they
have
been
traveling
in
their
veliger
form
by
water
currents
and
recreational
vehicles.
- Zebra
Mussels
filter
water,
about
a
litre
a
day,
and
remove
contaminants.
Though
that
may
sound
positive,
the
contaminants
accumulate
within
the
Mussels
and
when
eaten
by
predators
like
the
Lesser
and
Greater
Scaup,
they
have
higher
contaminate
traces
which
can
affect
their
reproduction.
Also,
the
removal
of
contaminants
allows
for
more
sunlight
to
come
into
the
water
increasing
the
growth
of
aquatic
weeds.
The
increase
of
sunlight
also
alters
the
habitat
for
some
fish
that
require
sunlight
such
as
the
light-sensitive
species
walleye.
- Humans
are
affected
as
well
by
Zebra
Mussels.
They
colonize
and
grow
on
areas
that
are
large
such
as
logs
and
rocks.
Also
the
bottom
of
boats;
into
cottage
drain
pipes
leading
into
the
water
and
docks
are
just
a
few
places
they
will
grow.
There
are
some
things
that
can
be
done
to
help
prevent
the
spread
of
Zebra
Mussels
from
lake
to
lake:
Inspect
your
boat,
trailer,
boating
equipment,
fishing
tackle
and
nets
and
remove
any
visible
plants
or
animals
before
leaving
any
water
body.
Drain
water
from
motor,
live
well,
bilge
and
transom
wells
while
on
land
before
leaving
the
water
body.
Empty
your
bait
bucket
on
land
before
leaving
the
water
body.
Never
release
live
bait
into
a
water
body,
or
release
animals
from
one
water
body
into
another.
Wash/Dry
your
fishing
tackle,
nets,
boat
and
equipment
to
kill
harmful
species
that
were
not
seen
at
the
boat
launch.
Some
species
can
survive
for
several
days
out
of
water,
so
it
is
important
to:
- rinse
your
boat
and
equipment
with
hot
tap
water
(>
40°
C);
or
- spray
your
boat
and
equipment
with
high
pressure
water
(250
psi);
or
- dry
your
boat
and
equipment
for
at
least
five
days,
before
transporting
to
another
water
body
For
further
information
check
out
www.invadingspecies.com
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