Release of predators such as black carp that would eat zebra mussels has often been recommended but would be ineffective. Many native animals already in the Great Lakes eat zebra mussels and in some areas are reducing mussel numbers. The problem is one of scale. Zebra mussels may ultimately suffer population loss through loss of food. Massive amounts of food are required to support high population densities of zebra mussels, and planktonic food supplies have declined over the last decade.
Prevention is more effective than control.
Although removing zebra mussels from a lake or river is almost impossible, preventing their spread into new areas is not. Human activities have spread zebra mussels into many inland lakes and streams, usually through recreational boating, fishing, and diving practices. Simple steps such as draining live wells, cleaning vegetation off boat trailers, removing attached zebra mussels from boat hulls, and not dumping bait into lakes or rivers can prevent the spread of zebra mussels and other exotics into non-infested waters.