INVASIVE SPECIES

  • New Zealand Mud Snails (NZMS) – Whirling Disease – didymo – Quagga Mussel – Zebra Mussel all are an invasive species threat to lakes, trout streams and rivers spread through waders and wading boots, boats and float tubes. If the gear is in the water it can carry it out and to other waters not infected and some of them can live up to 2 weeks out of water so clean and dry your equipment after each outing. These cleaning instructions also work to stop the spread of other dangerous aquatic hitchhikers.
  • Sanitze your wading equipment before traveling to new waters. Visual inspection is inadequate.
  • According to experts, the best cleaner for your waders and boots is undiluted commercial solutions.
  • FORMULA 409 CLEANER DEGREASER DISINFECTANT
  • FORMULA 409 ALL PURPOSE CLEANER ANTIBACTERIAL KITCHEN LEMON FRESH.
  • KEY WORDS TO LOOK FOR ARE “DISINFECTANT” OR “ANTIBACTERIAL” Bleach is no longer recommended for NZMS, though a 5 to 10 percent bleach solution kills other invasive species such as whirling disease, didymo, and zebra mussels. Grapefruit seed extract, once considered effective for NZMS, has failed several tests.
  • Remove inner soles before cleaning and rinse them well to remove cleaning agents before use.
  • Completely immerse your gear in the solution in a dry bag or 5 gallon bucket for approximately 10 minutes, and then rinse in clean water. Don’t forget to clean your wading staff.
  • Other ways to disinfect your gear.
  • HOT WATER BATH (120 to 130 degrees F) for at least 5 minutes or put them in the dishwasher (check with your spouse first). – DRY HEAT Spray with commercial solutions formula 409 cleaner degreaser disinfectant or other soap/detergent (the soap breaks down the mucus that the snail uses to hold onto wet surfaces) and let waders and boots dry for several hours – all mud must be completely dry. The air must be low humidity and over 84 degrees F for 24 hours or 104 degrees F (or higher) for 2 hours.
  • FREEEZE EQUIPMENT for at least 4 hours, preferably overnight. This is good for winter anglers or if you have a chest freezer (again check with your spouse). Thaw waders before bending them.
  • Clean boats, rafts, float tubes and trailers of mud, vegetation, and other debris with a pressure washer or commercial car wash before driving to the next watershed.

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