Since the zebra mussel is transferred from one body of water to another due to the relocation of ships, among other things, I thought about creating an informative to-do list for boat owners and distributing it in the form of a flyer at Lake Travis. I have also created this website, on which some information about the zebra mussel is collected, and the to-do list is available for download.
It is important to inform the boat owners about the problem of distributing the zebra mussel and the related problems so that the population does not get out of hand. It is also important to provide information about measures that prevent spreading without chemical substances.
Since you cannot see the larvae of the zebra mussels with the naked eye, but they can survive in the water for several days, it is essential to clean the boat and remove water from the boat before it is transported to another body of water. Also, trailers and all equipment must be cleaned and dried.
What you can do to stop the invasive zebra mussel from spreading:
1. Whenever possible, wash your boat with warm, soapy water.
2. Do not transport water, such as bait buckets, from one body of water to another. If possible, empty these containers on land and dispose of leftover bait in the trash. Most of the time, the baitfish are not native to this water, as are the zebra mussels.
3. Inspect the boat, trailer, and other recreational equipment that has come into contact with water.
4. Remove any foreign objects, plants, or animals.
5. Drain all bilge water, bait buckets, and other water from your boat, engine, and equipment.
6. In addition to washing all parts of your boat, wash your paddles and other equipment that has come into contact with water. Do not allow washing water to flow into bodies of water or storm sewers.
7. Sun dry boats and trailers for five days before venturing into another body of water.
You can download my flyer here:
Source:
https://texasinvasives.org/zebramussels/
https://www.mass.gov/service-details/help-stop-the-spread-of-zebra-mussels