Didymo

Didymo, or Rock Snot, is a disease known to affect humans and underwater creatures.

Didymo was first found in Europe. It was then passed down to Asia, then North America, and it is now found in New Zealand.

Didymo clings to rocks and riverbanks. It is a dangerous pest because:
1. It spreads diseases

1. If eaten, can cause serious illness
2. It is deadly to sea creatures everywhere

Didymo can clog up spaces in rocks and holes in riverbanks. It forms like a thick mat over them, blocking important sources.

Through the rocks, there could be:

1. Freshwater
2. Small fishes and food

If fishes cannot get their food, they would either starve and die, or they would have to abandon their homes and move somewhere else.

This sort of pest can only be destroyed if dried up. Didymo multiplies, because it has a lot of cells. Next thing you know, it will be all over creation! If it is dried, that piece of Didymo will no longer multiply and spread anymore.

Did you know?

1. If one cell of Didymo is still alive, it will multiply
2. It can spread by just one drop of water
3. It sticks to equipment and boats, but not human hands
4. Didymo is often call ‘Rock Snot’
5. Didmo is really called Didymosphenia Geminata

If you have Didymo attached to some of your cherished belongings, you need to:

1. Check: Check your belongings
2. Clean: Clean it appropriately
3. Dry: Dry it properly

It will take about a week to do all this.

So next time you see Didymo, you know what to do.

                                                                                    By Renitta