There are three main stages to the zebra mussel life cycle: larva, settler, and adult. Once zebra mussel eggs are fertilized they become free-floating larvae that live in the water for up to a month. These microscopic larvae can be transported in water in bilges, ballast water, live wells, and even bait buckets.
As zebra mussels mature to adults they become settlers at about 1/100th of an inch long and start to attach to hard surfaces like boats, docks, rocks, plants, pipes and other debris. Within their first year, at around 1/3rd of an inch long, zebra mussels begin reproducing in large numbers and they can quickly out-compete native species.
All stages of zebra mussels are capable of invading new lakes using humans as transportation. Always practice CLEAN, DRAIN and DRY before moving your boat to another lake.
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