PUBLIC ANNOUNCEMENT- WESTERN INVASIVES NETWORK Revised March, 2021 1 847 NW Monroe Ave. Corvallis, OR 97330 (541) 910-8769 Photo: BJ Schoenmakers 1Photo:************ Liz West STATEWIDE INVASIVE SPECIES ALERT************ Zebra Mussels What Can You Do? (cont’d) Zebra mussels (Dreissena polymorpha) If you have these moss balls in an have been detected in moss balls that outdoor pond, or an aquarium with are sold at pet stores across the United outflow, please remove them and place States, including Oregon. Of particular in a watertight container or plastic bag concern are the “Betta Buddy” marimo and contact the Oregon Department of moss balls sold under the Imagitarium Fish & Wildlife at (503)-947-6308; or brand name sold at pet stores like Petco, [email protected] and possibly others. It is likely that other brands use the same supplier. If you have these moss balls in a fully contained home aquarium, please Zebra mussel found in marimo moss ball at a pet Why is it a problem? remove them and place in a watertight store in Washington State, 2021. While they are In addition to drastic habitat container. Then, place the container in a extremely small, especially in this limiting modification and as a vector for avian freezer for at least 3 days and throw the environment, the namesake zebra stripes are unmistakable. (Photo courtesy of USGS) disease, zebra mussels cause hundreds moss in the garbage. of millions of dollars in damages to infrastructure like hydropower, irrigation If you do not have a freezer, you can also and municipal water supplies. boil the moss balls for a few minutes. Establishment of zebra mussels in With fish and moss removed, disinfect Oregon waterways would be water and other tank contents, including catastrophic to industry, tourism and filters, by adding 1-2 cups of bleach per recreation. gallon of water and let sit for one hour. What Can You Do? Dispose of disinfected water and refill First, here’s what NOT to do: tank with fresh water. Click here for detailed information on -DO NOT dump your tank water or any of its contents into any water body, other decontamination methods. If zebra mussels are introduced in Oregon, personal equipment and critical infrastructure are at extreme household sink, toilet, drain or outdoor As always, please report invasive species risk. Hydropower facilities and irrigation networks storm drain. While a tank infestation is sightings online at: https://oregoninvasiveshotline.org/ can be devastated and aquatic ecosystems can be unfortunate, it is at least contained. severely disrupted. (Photo: Tom Britt) .