10 11 With over 180 non-native species already established in the Great Lakes, preventing the spread may seem like an overwhelming task. Yet, there are some simple things you can do to stop their spread. Boaters • Clean your boat and gear. Before leaving the water, clean any mud, vegetation, mussels, or anything suspicious from your boat, motor, trailer, or fishing equipment. • Drain before you leave. Drain all standing water by pulling the plug on your transom and live well at the boat launch. Never take an aquatic invasive species from one waterbody to another. • Dry or disinfect. Some aquatic invasive species can survive up to 2 weeks out of water, and not every invader attached to your boat can be seen with the naked eye. To remove invaders you can’t see, dry your boat for 2-7 days in sunlight or clean your boat from top to bottom with hot water over 50°C or pressurized water over 250 psi before travelling to a new waterbody. Remember these Quick Tips: GOOD BETTER BEST Clean, Drain Clean, Drain, Dry Clean, Drain, Disinfect • CLEAN off all visible mud, vegetation and other debris • Pull and store the DRAIN plug, lower your outboard to drain standing water and drain live wells before leaving the launch • In addition to cleaning and draining: • DRY your boat and equipment in hot or sunny weather for 2-7 days before transporting them to another body of water • Use a pressure washer to spray off your boat and trailer (250psi) OR rinse off your boat and trailer with hot water (greater than 50°C) • To prevent the spread of waterborne pathogens, rinse live wells with 10% household bleach/water solution (i.e. 100ml of bleach to 1L water). Rinse well with water to remove any residual chlorine. Anglers • It’s illegal to release your bait or dump the contents of your bait bucket in or near the water. Dispose of your bait at least 30 metres away from the shore. • Where possible buy locally sourced bait. • Learn to identify the different species of baitfish and distinguish them from invasive fish such as the Round goby. • To find out more about invasive aquatic species in your waterway visit www.ontario.ca/page/invasive-species-fact-sheets Landowners & Gardeners • Exotic plants can add beauty and variety to your garden. But take care – some species can become invasive if they escape to our natural waters or woodlands. • Choose native or non-invasive species to make sure all of your flowers are friendly. Don’t relocate plants from your home to your cottage garden, and vice versa or you may spread an invasive species without meaning to. • Leave native trees and plants alone; natural landscapes offer the best defense. • To find out more about invasive woodland and aquatic plants on your property visit www.ontarioinvasiveplants.ca/resources/ best-management-practices Campers • Refrain from moving any firewood to prevent the spread of pests. Moving untreated firewood to or from a campground or cottage, can spread invasive species and diseases. Buy Local. Burn Local. • Inspect clothing and equipment for seeds, insects, etc. before leaving your camping area. Hikers, bikers, ATV riders and other recreational users Mud on ATV’s and trail equipment can harbor invasive plant seeds. Before you leave home: • Make sure your belongings are free of mud and plant debris • Pack cleaning tools and supplies for your trip (brush or broom, etc.) Before you leave the trail or site: • Inspect your pets, belongings, boots, clothing and equipment; remove any mud or plant debris • Dispose of plant debris and weed seeds in the trash Practice prevention Did you know? Proper cleaning of boats and fishing equipment can help prevent the spread of whirling disease, a potentially fatal disease that affects juvenile trout, to Ontario rivers.