Anyone who has purchased a ‘moss ball’, or ‘marimo moss ball’ after January 1, 2021 is being asked to destroy them by the Alberta Government. Zebra mussels which are an invasive species have been discovered living inside the moss balls.

“Invasive mussels pose a serious threat to Alberta’s aquatic ecosystems and fisheries. They can cause millions of dollars in damage to water infrastructure, such as irrigation canals. Our efforts in past years coupled with the cooperation of Albertans have meant that Alberta remains largely free of zebra mussels. While retailers and distributors across the province have been proactive in removing moss balls from store shelves, we are asking Albertans to take action to ensure zebra mussels are not inadvertently released into our environment,” said Jason Nixon, Minister of Environment and Parks

It is recommended that Albertans destroy them by freezing or boiling them, then placing them in a sealed plastic bag before disposing them in their household trash. The moss balls and their water should not be flushed down the toilet, put down the drain, or placed in compost.

It is also recommended that aquarium owners monitor their tanks for any unintentional critters who may have found their way into their tank. Zebra Mussels are very small measuring up to three centimeters in total.

You can find more information on disposing your moss ball HERE.