If you’ve ever wondered why where there is mold there are bugs, you’re not imagining things. There are a few reasons why mold and bugs seem to go hand-in-hand.
Learn why if you have mold, you’ll attract several types of unwelcome bugs.
Environment
Both mold and bugs are attracted to and invade spaces with warm, humid, moist conditions. When outside temperatures heat up, humidity levels rise, as does moisture and condensation. Damp, dark conditions are excellent breeding grounds for thriving colonies of both mold and bugs.
Food Supply
Both bugs and mold need food to live.
Bugs love to eat decaying organic matter, everything from spoiled food to over-ripened fruit. To make things worse, there are even bugs that eat mold, such as fungus gnats and mold mites.
Mold is equally easy to feed. Much like bugs, mold thrives on rotting organic matter or spoiled food. However, mold takes it a step further and can find a food source in drywall, newspaper, even wet laundry.
Anywhere there are dark and damp conditions mold can sink its roots into will enable it to thrive.
Types of Mold and Bugs
Mold
There are several different types of mold you may find lurking in your home. The most commonly identified is black mold, but the colors can range from brown to green to orange.
When active mold is disturbed, it releases microscopic spores, which become airborne and further spread mold. You’re then in a rinse and repeat cycle and before you know it, you could be facing a mold infestation.
Bugs
You’ll find bugs chasing after crumbs or sticky spills left behind on countertops. Bugs like to hang out in sink drains, under sinks, in the pantry, and in garbage pails.
The musty smell of some types of mold, which is produced by released gas, signals a food source to bugs in search of something to eat. This is especially true of termites in search of wood since mold also feeds on wood.
In addition to termites, mold attracts a variety of other bugs, including slugs, booklice, millipedes, and cockroaches.
If left untreated, mold destroys the very structural components of your home. In many cases, bugs add to the destruction by tunneling into wood or feasting on moldy paper materials.
Conclusion
While it’s true that where there is mold there will be bugs, the most important thing is to keep humidity levels low and eliminate sources of extra moisture inside your home.
If you are dealing with mold and bug infestations, it’s time to call in the professionals. For safe mold removal and expert advice, contact RCS in Santa Rosa.
Nothing makes a home appear more neglected than mold growing all over the vinyl siding. No matter whether it’s black, green, or some other shade, it definitely takes away the curb appeal.
Active mold growing on your vinyl siding not only looks terrible, but it’s an unhealthy situation, as well.
Here are some reasons why mold grows on your vinyl siding, how to clean it, and most importantly, how to prevent it.
Why Mold Grows on Vinyl Siding
Because your vinyl siding is exposed to all kinds of weather and factors that encourage mold growth, it’s a very common problem.
Mold has the ability to feed on practically any surface, including those that are used to build and protect your home. All that’s needed is a moist or humid environment, airborne mold spores landing on your siding and mold will take root, spread, and thrive.
Here are some factors that contribute to mold growing on your vinyl siding:
Dirty gutters (piles of rotting organic matter like leaves and moist dirt trapped inside)
Dirty siding (tree sap, leaves, and common dirt)
Wet, moist, or humid conditions (leaving condensation on siding)
Leaking pipes or drains (leaving pooling water or puddles near the home)
Shady areas
How to Clean Mold from Vinyl Siding
Pressure Washing
Pressure washing is one option to remove mold from siding. Pressure washing should be done with care, especially if you have holes or cracks in the siding. If you do, water may get inside these holes or cracks and if not dried quickly, can actually cause more mold to grow.
Commercial Mold Cleaners
Commercial mold cleaners made specifically for cleaning mold off siding work well, as long as you follow manufacturers’ directions carefully. It’s also important to wear protective gear such as gloves and a mask when using strong commercial cleaners.
Bleach
Bleach is a popular “go to” solution for cleaning black, ugly mold off the siding. However, unless properly diluted, it’s possible to bleach the color from your siding. If not rinsed thoroughly and if left in direct sunlight, the odds of your siding becoming faded or discolored increase.
A good rule of thumb is to use one part bleach to four parts water for an effective, nicely diluted solution.
Avoid splashing bleach on plants, bushes, or flowers which may cause harm or permanent damage to your landscaping.
Oxygen-based Bleach
A safer alternative to the common chlorine household bleach is to dilute one cup of oxygen bleach in a gallon of water. Oxygen bleach is less harsh than its chlorine-based counterpart, preventing discoloration of the siding or harm to plants.
Vinegar Solution
Finally, what seems to be a bit of a miracle worker for dozens of household cleaning jobs – this one included - is to use a mixture of 30% white vinegar diluted in 70% water. Spray the vinegar solution on the affected areas, let sit for about five minutes, and hose off completely.
No matter which solution you choose to clean your vinyl siding, using a long-handled cleaning brush for gentle scrubbing helps loosen those stubborn spots and gets your siding sparkling clean.
Preventative Tips
Mold growing on your siding is certainly unsightly, but also dangerous when active mold releases tiny spores, or mycotoxins, into the air. When mycotoxins are released, they can be dangerous if inhaled. Also, airborne spores settle on even more areas of your home’s exterior to form new active mold colonies.
Here are some things you can do to minimize the chances of mold returning to grow on your vinyl siding.
Keep gutters clear and clean.
Repair leaks from pipes or other places where excessive moisture or puddling is a problem.
Trim back trees and bushes to provide more sunlight to damp, shady areas.
Clean more often to lower the risk of dirt and debris from sticking and building up on the siding.
Conclusion
While cleaning your vinyl siding may not be at the top of your bucket list, it’s important to remove the unappealing, unhealthy mold from growing and spreading to other areas of your home’s exterior.
For professional mold remediation and removal, be sure to contact the experts at RCS in Santa Rosa.
When opening up those windows, letting fresh air in, and cleaning those somewhat neglected areas in your home begins, safety is the key when tackling your projects.
Here are some tips to knock out all those cleaning chores as safely as possible.
Body Protection
One important safety tip is to protect yourself from head to toe to avoid injuries.
Mask
Wearing a mask provides extra protection from the dangers of dust, indoor pollutants, and fume inhalation. Inhaling fumes or other toxins causes irritation to the throat and lungs.
Gloves
Gloves are a great tool to prevent chemical burns, rashes, and other skin irritations or reactions.
Many commercial cleaning products contain harsh chemicals. While they may cut through grease and grime, they may also cause allergic reactions, chemical burns, or other irritation to your skin.
Gloves also protect your hands from exposure to the grime, dust, and dirt you’re trying to remove. There may be bacteria or germs lurking in that dirt and grime.
Gloves also provide more protection from potentially cutting yourself on unseen sharp edges or debris. They also protect dry, cracked, or cut hands from further damage.
Overall Protection
Wearing long pants and closed-toe shoes helps prevent injuries to your legs and feet. Avoid slippery sole shoes that can cause sliding or tripping while working.
Ventilation
Inadequate ventilation and airflow causes problems for your lungs and throat, in addition to breathing problems and severe headaches.
Because commercial cleaning products emit fumes when sprayed, breathing in those fumes is harmful to sensitive membranes and lungs.
Even if you mix your own green cleaning solutions with baking soda or vinegar, it’s always a good idea to make sure you’re breathing in enough fresh air.
Safe Climbing
As you climb to get to those hard-to-reach places, never stand on a chair, storage tote, or counter.
Becoming off-balance by simply using anything to stand on can result in a fall. Injuries from falling include bumps, bruises, overall body injuries, muscle strains, sprains, and broken bones.
For your safety and to avoid falling, use a securely placed, sturdy ladder or step stool and not any kind of a substitute.
Heavy Lifting
The key here is knowing your limits. Moving or lifting heavy appliances, furniture, or anything that, with the slightest wrong move, can result in severe back pain and injuries, should be avoided.
If you feel confident, use more of your lower body Instead of relying solely on your arms and back.
Never, ever lift up or pull down heavy objects over your head. The higher you lift, the less strength and muscle control you have. Also, in most cases you can’t see what you’re doing when arms are raised above your head, increasing the odds of injury.
Conclusion
While cleaning is an annual rite of passage into spring, please do it safely. When cleaning exposes you to undetected harmful mold, call in the mold removal and remediation experts at RCS in Santa Rosa.
You can definitely tell it’s spring by the sight of all the yard debris left behind during all those wet, chilly months spent indoors.
While making a plan for yard cleanup this spring in Sonoma County, don’t forget the importance of cleaning your crawlspace under your home.
Here’s what to check and include on your crawlspace cleaning and maintenance list.
Inspection
After enduring the cold, wet, rainy season, your crawlspace needs a thorough inspection for areas of cleanup.
Here’s what to check for:
Dirt, yard debris
Garbage
Leaks
Pooling water
Excessive dampness, humidity
Evidence of rodents and pests (droppings, nests, piles of food)
Mold
Damaged or missing insulation, vapor barrier
Wood rot or damage
Plumbing, electrical supply damage
Basic Cleaning
It’s important to clean up your crawlspace because the presence of toxic rodent droppings, excessive dampness, and mold contaminates the air that filtrates directly into your home.
Once inside, the contaminated air flows throughout your home where you and everyone living there breathes it in. This is dangerous for anyone suffering from allergies, asthma, or other upper respiratory health issues.
One of the worst dampness-driven health concerns is the development of active mold. Mold causes all sorts of serious health problems for anyone allergic or sensitive to the effects of breathing in mold or airborne mold spores.
For basic cleaning, remove all garbage and yard debris, in addition to noting all signs of damage or rodent infestation.
Schedule a Professional Inspection and Cleaning
Because thorough cleaning of a crawlspace involves cleaning mold, toxic rodent droppings, and other potentially hazardous issues, it’s best to call in a professional crawlspace cleanup and mold removal service.
This professional once-a-year cleaning ensures your crawlspace will be thoroughly cleaned for safe air quality and improved energy efficiency in your home.
The pros can take care of identifying and repairing moisture and water sources causing excessive humidity and dampness. They will also remove the unhealthy elements that accumulated over the past few months including rodent infestation droppings and mold.
The next step is for them to completely dry out the area before installing or repairing insulation or vapor barriers to keep the crawlspace dry and watertight.
Conclusion
Because the air circulating in your crawlspace ultimately makes its way into your home, cleaning it has got to be at the top of the list for home maintenance this spring.
For thorough inspection, cleaning, and restoration of your crawlspace, schedule your appointment today with RCS in Santa Rosa.
