Conservation department warns of possible zebra mussels infestation in moss balls

By My Courier-Tribune

The Missouri Department of Conservation is warning retailers and aquarium owners to check moss balls for a potential zebra mussel infestation. Moss balls containing the invasive species have been discovered in Washington state and it’s possible they were distributed to buyers in Missouri. states a conservation department release.

Zebra mussels were first reported in Missouri in 1991 in the Mississippi River near St. Louis. They’ve since spread to the Missouri, Osage, and Meramec rivers and streams downstream of infested lakes. Lakes with confirmed reports of zebra mussels include Smithville Lake.

“Zebra mussels can clog power plants, industrial and public drinking water intakes, foul boat hulls and motors, decimate populations of native freshwater mussels, impact fisheries and disrupt aquatic ecosystems,” reports the conservation department.

Any aquarium containing moss balls infected with zebra mussels also has the potential of having zebra mussel larvae, called veligers, in its water. When aquarium water is poured down drains or if the contents are dumped into a nearby creek or lake, this could introduce zebra mussels into a new body of water.

MDC urges retailers and aquarium owners who bought moss balls in the last year to check them for zebra mussels and decontaminate or dispose of them if found. People are also urged to report any zebra mussels discovered in moss balls to the local MDC Regional Office. The Kansas City Regional Office is located at 12405 SE Ranson Road, Lee’s Summit. To call, dial 622-0900.

Details on how to properly decontaminate zebra mussel-infected moss balls and aquariums systems can be found online at fws.gov/media/zebra-mussel-disposal-instructions.