{"id":23633,"date":"2021-03-09T21:03:09","date_gmt":"2021-03-10T02:03:09","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/videonewsservice.net\/?p=23633"},"modified":"2021-03-09T21:03:09","modified_gmt":"2021-03-10T02:03:09","slug":"nys-dec-warns-aquarium-owners-about-invasive-zebra-mussels-found-in-moss-balls","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/videonewsservice.net\/index.php\/2021\/03\/09\/nys-dec-warns-aquarium-owners-about-invasive-zebra-mussels-found-in-moss-balls\/","title":{"rendered":"NYS\/DEC Warns Aquarium Owners About Invasive Zebra Mussels Found in “Moss Balls”"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Consumers Encouraged to Follow U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Disposal Directions to Prevent Spread of Harmful Invasive Species<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Pet Stores Urged to Remove Moss Balls Immediately<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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Press release<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) is urging pet and aquarium stores and consumers to immediately remove and properly dispose of commercially purchased “moss balls” for aquariums after invasive zebra mussels were discovered inside and on some of these products, as reported by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service<\/a>. Consumers should be advised that moss ball products purchased from PetSmart<\/a> and Petco<\/a> may be subject to a voluntary product recall.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Zebra mussels are an aquatic invasive species (AIS) that can cause environmental and economic harm. Several species of algae comprise moss balls, which are two to five inches in diameter. Zebra mussel larvae are so small that people cannot see them. If released, these larvae can cause great harm to waterbodies. Consumers are advised to remove and properly dispose of any moss balls purchased within the last year by following these steps:<\/p>\n\n\n\n