What You Should Know
The first descriptions of zebra mussels
were recorded in 1769 and were based
on observations made along the
Caspian Sea and Ural River, although
the species is believed to have
originated in Poland. The species gains
its name from a striped pattern on its
shell. Zebra mussels can grow to a
length of about 50 mm and have a
lifespan of from 4 to 5 years. Females
may produce more than 40,000 eggs in
one reproductive cycle. The mussels
eventually attach themselves to a hard
surface, although they have been
known to attach to vegetation as well.
How to Control This Invasive Pest
Several approaches are being tried or
tested, with varying measures of
success. Methods range from manual
removal to the use of steam, chemicals,
vibrations, electrical current, filters,
ultraviolet light, flushing and
introduction of predators, parasites or
disease.
The Invasion
Zebra mussels were first discovered in
North American in 1986, on the
Canadian side of two of the Great
Lakes. By 1990, they were reported in
all of the Great Lakes. The mussels
escaped the Great Lakes shortly
thereafter and following introduction
into the Illinois River, moved to the
Mississippi. By 1994, zebra mussels had
been spotted in at least 20 states,
extending as far west as Oklahoma.
There is wide agreement that the zebra
mussel was most likely introduced
through ballast water discharge by
international freighters that enter the
Great Lakes through the St. Lawrence
Seaway.
What Can I Do?
It isn’t likely you’ll encounter the zebra
mussel unless you are on a waterway
that is infested; should you find them
attached to your boat, it is important
that that they be destroyed upon
removal. If you are moving your boat
from an infested waterway to one that
is not, it is particularly important to
conduct a thorough inspection.
Background
Zebra mussels are among the invasives
causing serious problems. They are
capable of corroding wood, steel and
concrete, fouling water intake pipes for
industry as well as ship engines, and
their weight can sink navigational
buoys. They are believed to have a
minimal impact on Great Lakes fish
populations, but some believe it is too
early to gauge their effect. The
mussels’ only known predators, carp,
sturgeon and some diving ducks, have
not had a significant impact on the
zebra mussel population.
More Information
You can find a wealth of information
about this destructive pest along with
descriptions of efforts to fight the zebra
mussel, on the internet.
U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service
1 800/344 WILD
http://www.fws.gov
Zebra Mussel
U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service
