What is the problem with zebra mussels?

Zebra mussels can render beaches unusable, clog water filtration pipes, and destroy boat engines such as in example pictured above. Although small, zebra mussels cause big trouble. These mussels can quickly encrust things, such as this crayfish above.

Are zebra mussels really that bad?

Invasive species have earned their bad reputations. They kill native mussels; coat surfaces with razor-sharp shells; foul anchor chains; block water intake pipes; and steal plankton and other food from native fish. …

Are there zebra mussels in Lake LBJ?

Since 2017, zebra mussels have been discovered in the Highland Lakes: Buchanan, Inks, LBJ, Marble Falls, Travis and Austin. Zebra mussels were discovered in the Great Lakes in 1988. Since then, the mussels have spread to many parts of the United States.

Are zebra mussels good to eat?

Are Zebra Mussels edible? Most clams and mussels are edible, but that does not mean they taste good! Many species of fish and ducks eat Zebra Mussels, so they are not harmful in that sense. To be safe, it is not recommended to eat Zebra Mussels.

Where did the zebra mussels originally come from?

The species was originally native to the lakes of southern Russia and Ukraine, but has been accidentally introduced to numerous other areas and has become an invasive species in many countries worldwide. Since the 1980s, the species has invaded the Great Lakes, Hudson River, and Lake Travis .

Why are zebra mussels a problem in Minnesota?

The mollusks can also cause damage by consuming organisms like zooplankton, which can make it harder for species at higher levels of the food chain to find sufficient food, Luoma said. “Zebra mussels are one of Minnesota’s most problematic aquatic invasive species,” Phelps said.

Where did zebra mussels eliminate unionid clams?

This has led to the near extinction of the unionid clams in Lake St. Clair and the western basin of Lake Erie. This pattern is being repeated in Ireland, where zebra mussels have eliminated the two freshwater mussels from several waterways, including some lakes along the River Shannon in 1997.

What’s the best way to kill Zebra mussels?

Now, researchers have discovered how to most efficiently kill the mussels in Minnesota lakes without overusing the chemicals. The results of the study indicate that three zebra mussel treatments have the ability to exterminate more than 90 percent of the invasive populations in water temperatures of 45 degrees Fahrenheit.