By Chris Brown

Zebra mussels getting into Alberta through moss balls

Mar 11, 2021 | 6:41 PM

Alberta Environment says people must take action immediately if they have purchased a certain type of moss balls after Jan. 1.

Live zebra mussels have been found in moss (Marimo) balls recently imported into Alberta. Moss balls are commonly sold at pet and garden stores.

Alberta Environment says people must destroy the moss balls one of two ways. They can be placed in a sealed, plastic bag and frozen, preferably in a deep freezer, for at least 24 hours or placed in boiling water for at least one minute.

Afterward, dispose of them by placing them and any packaging in a sealed plastic bag and then with the rest of your household garbage.

Do not flush the moss ball, do not put it down the drain and do not compost, says Alberta Environment.

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Zebra mussels are listed under the Fisheries (Alberta) Act as a prohibited species. It is illegal to possess, release, sell or transport these species within the province.

Canada’s fisheries and oceans department says zebra mussels are one of the biggest aquatic invasive threats in Canada. Once established, these invasive mussels multiply quickly and can harm Canada’s aquatic ecosystems by altering food webs, damaging habitats, and out-competing native species for food. They also have the potential to cause substantial, costly damage by clogging intake structures in power stations and water treatment plants as well as damaging watercrafts.

For more information visit the Alberta government website or Fisheries and Oceans Canada.