On the Screen: Everyday de-Musselin - Gangnam Style. Tips to Stop Aquatic Exotic Species Invasions

By Sage Passi

Carver County's video tackles aquatic invasive education.

Lookout Eurasian milfoil! Gangnam style tactics will get you yet! Here’s a fun video recently produced by Carver County Water Management Organization to get the message out to the public about how to slow down the invasion of aquatic exotic species. You can link to the video here.

Minnesota waters are threatened by several species of exotic invasive plants and animals that can be unintentionally spread by water recreationists. The video call attention to four species of concern and warns you that it is illegal to transport these “hitchhikers” on public roads or to launch a boat or trailer with these species attached. Eurasian milfoil, zebra mussels, curly leaf pondweed and flowering rush are the targeted species. The video features tips that will help prevent their spread by cutting down on their transport between lakes.

Eurasian Milfoil: In nutrient-rich lakes Eurasian milfoil can form thick underwater stands of tangled stems and vast mats of vegetation at the water's surface. In shallow areas the plant can interfere with water recreation such as boating, fishing, and swimming. The plant's floating canopy can also crowd out important native water plants.

 
Zebra Mussels: Female zebra mussels can produce 100,000- 500,000 eggs per year. Mussels may attach to motors and possibly clog cooling water areas. Zebra mussels can also attach to native mussels, killing them.

Curly-leaf Pondweed: In spring, curly-leaf pondweed can form dense mats that interfere with boating and other recreation on lakes. Curly-leaf can displace native aquatic plants. In mid­summer, curly-leaf plants usually die back, resulting in dying plants piling up on shorelines. An outcome is an increase in phosphorus that produces undesirable algal blooms.

 
Flowering Rush: This exotic flower can form dense stands which may interfere with recreational lake use. Flowering rush may also crowd out native plants and in turn harm fish and wildlife.







Catchy rap lyrics, sung by the main character are repeated throughout the video. “Invasive species on the boat tonight…..Invading waters so you’ll have a bad time…….zebra mussels make you lose your mind……Clean them off or else you’ll have a bad time.” This rap should catch the attention of boaters who may not be aware of the issues.

Video star, Bryant Admundson, implores boaters to keep an eye out
for zebra mussels under their boats.

To keep our lakes protected from aquatic invasives, please keep your eyes out for these invaders and practice these safety steps!
 

Left: Drain your boat before leaving the launch.  Right: Check under your boat, trailer and hitch for aquatic plants and animals who have hitched a ride!

 
DRAIN: Pull the boat’s drain plug and leave it out when traveling. Drain the water from the bilge, live well, motor, ballast tanks and portable bait containers before leaving the water’s edge and the lake area.
CLEAN: Clean your boat of any clinging vegetation or attached zebra mussels. Places to check include the prop, underneath the boat, the trailer and hitch and any additional equipment such as water skis and wake boards, etc.

Left: Drain your bait bucket before you leave the lakeside. Right: Dump leftover bait.

DISPOSE: Dispose of your bait on site. Do not take it to another lake.

DRY: Allow your boat to dry out for at least 5 days to kill the AIS larvae. If you plan to use your boat sooner, rinse your boat with high powered hoses and hot water.

Bryant Admundson resorts to a hair dryer to dry his boat.

Even if you can't dance or rap, taking simple steps to avoid the spread of aquatic invasive species is easy. Spread the word, not the invasives!  Help keep our lakes safe from these invading plants and animals.

 

Even you can do everyday de-Musselin.