Many British homes have mould growing inside them. Moreover, fungal growths are also hard to notice. At least, sometimes. However, that’s why many Brits also have bed bug problems. In fact, there’s a connection between the two. Mould and pests grow because they thrive in similar conditions. Furthermore, these conditions also attract other pests, such as cockroaches and booklice, to name a few.
That’s why if you notice one of them in your home, you’re likely to also have the other. Let’s explain it in detail below.
The relation between mould and indoor pests
It’s not common knowledge but it should be apparent that mold and bugs thrive in the same type of unsanitary environment where it’s warm and humid. For example, mould needs around 70% indoor humidity to grow and temperatures that can be as low as 15 degrees Celsius. Similarly, many insects and pests like the same conditions and are drawn to a lot of water. Because of that, they look for damp places inside homes and that’s naturally where mould is. Like mould, the higher the levels of humidity in your home are, the more pests you’re likely to find.
Types of pests attracted by mould
Bugs usually need more than only moisture to survive. They also need food and they can find that in mould as a source of nutrition. Many of them feed on it and the decomposing matter it grows on.
Booklice, for example, often inhabit mouldy books, fungus gnats and mites are also closely associated with mould, while cockroaches, slugs and millipedes are attracted to mould not because they feed on it, but because of the organic matter that mould helps decompose.
The smell of mould also attracts bugs because many species of mould produce gasses, which are often associated with its musty smell. People don’t like this smell, but bugs do.
Specifically, termites are pests that are very attracted to mould smells and because it breaks down wood as organic matter, it makes it easier for them to make tunnels through the material. In return, termites provide mould with more areas to grow deeper into.
Silverfish is another pest that’s attracted to mould. It’s a nocturnal insect that lives in damp and humid conditions and, because of that, mould on wallpaper, books and cardboard, for example, attracts them. Mold can also attract fruit flies.
Even though they are usually drawn to decaying produce, it’s still possible for them to look for additional food sources in mould-infested areas in the kitchen and even in the bathroom.
The link between pest infestations and indoor mould
Let’s say you noticed mould growths and pests. That means your home is facing a major issue. Furthermore, this means you need to take action. Addressing the problem at its core is your best solution. Failing to do so will only worsen things.
Firstly, you need to inspect your home. Check your pipes and whether your roof is leaking. Moreover, look at your crawl space and the bathroom. Is the latter getting enough ventilation? These are key areas to inspect, which you mustn’t overlook.
It will be necessary to reduce the humidity level in your house as the first course of action, but, often, if mould itself has turned into an infestation or resulted in a pest infestation, you will need to contact pest control companies who will be able to remove the problem most effectively and safely and can address any moisture-related issues at their source. Specifically, you’ll need to do that, for crawl-space-related moisture problems, because these parts of the house are difficult to access and treat on your own.
There are also other ways you can deal with mould and pests, which will include preventing them from appearing in the first place. Once mould has started to grow, it will usually need a very harsh and targeted approach or it will continue growing and can even damage the structure of your property.
How to prevent indoor mould
As we said above, adressing the problem at its root is your best course of action. The sources of mould and humidity are your number one concern. After that, most pests will disappear from your home. However, that’s not exactly the case with bed bugs. For them, you need to call professional pest control, as they spread quickly.
Let’s see some of the best mould-prevention tactics below.
Providing your indoor space with proper ventilation
It’s recommended to ventilate your entire house for at least half an hour a day by opening the windows in combination with cross ventilation to prevent mould growth. This means you’ll also need to open the interior doors together with the windows. Doing this will let excess moisture and dampness escape and prevent it from accumulating on the walls, floors, and ceiling.
Repairing any leaks on the roofs or pipework promptly
If you notice foul smells and a lot of insects around areas close to the roof or pipework, you’ll need to eliminate the source of moisture as soon as possible. Bugs which are attracted to dampness will thrive in such humid environments and because of that, you’ll need to identify the source in your home and fix it, whether it’s a leaky roof, a pipe or a faucet.
Reducing the indoor humidity levels
If you notice mould in your bathroom, increase and improve the ventilation indoors. Always turn on the exhaust fan after you shower. Conversely, you can also open the window. Next, you might need to clean the space more frequently. Also, keep your bathroom door closed during showers and baths. Consider also using dehumidifiers to reduce the humidity in your bathroom and basement.
Consider moving any moisture-releasing plants outdoors and avoid air-drying clothes indoors. Drying your clothes in poorly ventilated rooms, specifically during winter, can lead to mould growth.
Calling a professional
Sometimes, it’ll be impossible to prevent mould. For example, for widespread mould growth, you will have to call pest control companies who are licensed to treat all mould growth and can make your house dry, clean and mould-free.
Final Words
Mould is a very common problem in many households, specifically in locations which experience a lot of cold and wet weather. Besides looking unattractive and damaging your property structurally, it can also lead to other issues, such as pest infestations. Because of that, you’ll need to eliminate it as soon as you notice the signs of its presence. Otherwise, it will become even more difficult to deal with. The best way to do that is to prevent it from appearing in the first place by using a combination of techniques so your home remains pest-free.
