Invasive mudsnails found in May Creek
August 27, 2014
By Staff
NEW — 5:45 p.m. Aug. 27, 2014
Contributed
Invasive mudsnails like the ones above have been found in May Creek.
A King County report confirmed the positive identification of invasive New Zealand mudsnails residing in May Creek, according to a city of Newcastle news release.
The mudsnails were positively identified just upstream of a culvert crossing with Lake Washington Boulevard and could be throughout the watershed.
The millimeter-sized snails are harmful because they are a non-native species with no natural predators. They can multiply very quickly and have the potential to become a serious economic and ecological problem for the Puget Sound region.
Special decontamination precautions or dedicated gear should be used when working in the watershed. The city offered the following tips to prevent the mudsnails’ spread:
- Don’t move damp or muddy clothing and gear between water bodies.
- Clean your gear at the site.
- Completely dry your clothes and gear in a dryer on high heat for at least 2 hours or air dry for at least 48 hours.
- If you visit streams, lakes, rivers, or wetlands frequently, then it is recommended you retire any felt-soled waders or wading boots and replace with rubber-soled boots.
Learn more about New Zealand mudsnails here.
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