Invasive species councils in the Maritimes are warning people to be on the lookout for zebra mussels.
The highly invasive species was first reported on aquarium moss balls at a Seattle pet store in recent weeks.
It has since been discovered in various places across Canada and the United States, including Alberta, British Columbia, Saskatchewan and Maine.
Officials say zebra mussels, while they look harmless, are considered to be one of the world’s worst aquatic invasive species.
“They multiply extremely quickly, taking over areas to the point that they damage infrastructure, clog water intake pipes, endanger native freshwater mussel species, drastically alter ecosystem functioning, and make recreational areas like beaches unusable,” the New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island and Nova Scotia invasive species councils said in a joint news release.
Zebra mussels only get about as large as a thumbnail, but the councils say they are being found at much smaller stages in growth.
“Even if you do not see a zebra mussel, there is still a risk that your product is contaminated as the larval stage of these mussels are invisible to the naked eye and free-floating in the water,” they said.
Anyone who recently purchased a moss ball is encouraged to return them or dispose of them responsibly.
To dispose of a moss ball, you should place it into a sealable plastic bag and freeze it for at least 24 hours, or place it in boiling water for at least one full minute.
The moss ball and any of its packaging should then be placed in a sealed plastic bag and thrown in the trash.
You can find more details on the New Brunswick Invasive Species Council’s website.