Zebra Mussel Control

Chlorine Dioxide has been found to be an effective control agent both for adult mollusks, to remove existing infestations, and their free-swimming larvae (veligers) to prevent settling and re-infestation. Unlike Chlorine, Chlorine Dioxide does not react with organic materials to form trihalomethanes. Chlorine Dioxide dissolves in, but does not react with water. It is less irritating to the clams than hypochlorous acid, formed by the reaction of Chlorine with water.

Clams are much more sensitive to Chlorine Dioxide than to Chlorine. As a result, Chlorine Dioxide is effective at lower dosages than Chlorine. Chlorine Dioxide can be applied by treating continuously over several days at a fairly low dosage or by treating at higher dosages for shorter periods of time. Another method is to treat routinely for short periods of time to control biofilm. Research has shown that mollusks will not attach unless a biofilm is present. Thus, prevention can be accomplished by routine removal of the biofilm