WG&F give instructions to destroy moss balls containing AIS which could permanently damage Wyoming’s ecosystem

The Wyoming Game and Fish alerted the public to moss balls sold commercially that contain invasive zebra mussels in several Wyoming communities including Sheridan and Gillette. 

The Game and Fish are now requesting the public’s help in preventing any of these mussels from entering Wyoming’s waters. The moss balls were sold from a variety of businesses including online, flower shops, pet shops, arts and crafts stores, etc. 

Zebra mussels have the potential to damage Wyoming’s fragile aquatic ecosystems and during an appearance on Sheridan Media’s Public Pulse, Wyoming Game and Fish Public Information Specialist Christina Schimdt informed listeners, no technique exists to remove them once the mussels are present. 

According to Schmidt, zebra mussels are native to Eurasia but were introduced into the Great Lakes in the 1980s or 1990s in the ballast water from transcontinental ships. The mussels have since spread to many areas and states, but Wyoming has not documented them in any of its waters as of yet.  

Once in an area, the zebra mussels begin attaching to every hard surface available including boat hulls, rocks, pipes, docks, and even other native mussels. 

They ‘clean’ or ‘filter’ water of plankton, which include microscopic life such as algae, diatoms, protozoa, copepods and other plant or animal life. This plankton forms the base of the food chain in aquatic environments. Once established in sizable numbers zebra mussels consume large amounts of plankton, leaving very little to support other aquatic life that depend on it as a food source. 

If residents have a moss ball, regardless of where it was purchased, Game and Fish are asking tank owners to immediately dispose of it and disinfect their aquarium. Game and Fish advise that even if the moss ball was purchased months ago, to please dispose of it. 

Game and Fish are unsure how long the moss balls with mussels have been present and sold in the Cowboy State. 

Game and Fish are recommending disinfecting the tanks even if owners do not see any adult mussels. The juvenile mussels can still be present, they are microscopic and may not be visible to the naked eye. 

It is critical that tank owners do not dispose of any water into a water body or down any household drain or toilet. Game and Fish recommend the following procedure to dispose of moss balls and tank water:

    • Remove any pets from the water and tank.

    • Remove the moss ball, other plants and any water from the aquarium and put them into a heat-safe pot. Do not dispose of any water down the drain or toilet.

    • Inspect the moss ball and tank for zebra mussels and if you find any contact your local Game and Fish regional office.

    • Boil the moss balls, plants and any water it’s been in contact with at least five minutes.

    • Dispose of the moss ball and other plants in trash. 

    • Pour out the boiled water on a semi-permeable surface. That could be a houseplant or outside — like grass or soil — that is not located near standing water or a storm drain.

For more information, click here.