What would be the best way to kill zebra mussels in a small pond?
Once established in a system, zebra mussels are difficult to eliminate. Most control methods used in industrial and municipal water systems, such as hot water exposure or chemical treatments, are not acceptable for fish-rearing facilities. To date, a treatment that eliminates all zebra mussel life stages without harming fish or other aquatic organisms has not been discovered. Some common aquaculture practices can help control zebra mussels, such as the salt treatments used in shipping and handling fish or disinfecting nets with benzalkonium chloride. Zebra mussels can be eliminated from a pond by draining and drying it for an extended period, preferably during the winter when the remaining mussels might freeze. Rotenone treatment to kill unwanted fish species will also kill 100 percent of all zebra mussel life stages. Although the application of some therapeutic treatments, pond treatments or disinfectants for their labeled uses may also kill zebra mussels, currently no aquaculture che
