If there’s one word no homeowner wants to hear, it’s termites. …and if there are TWO WORDS they don’t want to hear, it’s termites and mold.
Did you know there is a connection between these two common household problems? In this article, we’ll explain why termites and mold often go hand in hand — and how you can prevent both!
Do You Have a Termite Infestation?
Causes
Getting termites may seem like a turn of bad luck, and in some respects, it is. Lots of homes have ideal conditions for termites, but not all of them develop a termite infestation.
The most common species of termites in the U.S. are subterranean, meaning that they live below ground. They send out scouts, also called swarmers, to find new food sources. These scouts are specifically looking for damp wood for the colony to consume.
So if your home has a leak or drainage issue, it is at risk of developing termites.
Problems
Termite infestation can lead to extensive home damages. In many cases, families must evacuate their homes while termite repairs are made.
Removal
Fortunately, termites are fairly easy to get rid of. A pest control company will be able to recommend the best course of treatment for your termite problem, and they can inspect your home to find the cause of the initial infestation.
Do You Have Mold Growth in Your Home?
Causes
Similar to termites, mold is attracted to an area by moisture. Wherever there is excess moisture, be it humidity, condensation, or a busted pipe, there is a grand opportunity for mold growth.
Mold can feed on any organic material, and our homes provide more than enough of that, in the form of dust, pet dander, paper, cardboard…and the list goes on.
Problems
Because mold consumes the surface it grows upon, it weakens structural elements in your home, such as wood beams and framing.
Mold exposure can also lead to many different illnesses. Mold exacerbates respiratory problems and produces allergy-like symptoms in most people.
If the mold growth is severe enough, you may have to leave your home during removal.
Removal
Due to the health risks of mold exposure, its removal is best left to a mold remediation company. These experts can ensure that mold doesn’t spread to other parts of your home with their specialized equipment and extensive knowledge of mold behaviors.
The Connection Between Termites & Mold
It may already be obvious, but in case you didn’t already guess it, the common factor that draws both termites and mold to a home is moisture.
More specifically, termites and mold are attracted by the decomposing materials that moisture creates.
Similarities
Both termites and mold colonies eat cellulose, so their function in nature is to break down organic matter. This may not sound great when we’re talking about your floor joists, but it is a necessary function in the outdoor ecosystem. If it weren’t for these decay-eating organisms, there would be an overabundance of rotting wood and other materials littering the ground.
For this reason alone, termites and mold are found in similar environments.
Another reason you’ll often see termites and mold in the same places is because these areas are warm and well-hidden from the human eye.
Let us be clear: Termites do not cause mold, nor does mold cause termites. They simply prefer the same living conditions.
This doesn’t mean that where there is one, you will always find the other. However, it does mean that they can appear at the same time and cause damage twice as quickly…and cost twice as much to remedy.
Prevention
With termites and mold, prevention can look a little different.
Keep an eye on the exterior of your home, specifically looking for water leaks, stagnant pools, and drainage issues. Excess water can easily find its way into your home via the basement or crawl space, which can lead to mold and/or termites at the foundation.
Reducing the moisture surrounding your home is a prevention technique for mold and termites alike.
Taking termite prevention one step further, you also need to have your property inspected and treated occasionally. Again, the help of a pest control company is invaluable in the prevention of termites. If you see a swarm outside your home, it may not be too late to prevent them from invading your home, but you must act fast.
Mold prevention is fairly easy as long as you don’t have unexpected flooding in your home. Just keeping surfaces clean and dry is usually enough to keep indoor mold at bay. Keeping your air filters changed regularly is another easy prevention tip.
Be Safe With Termites & Mold
If you’ve recently discovered termites in your home, we know that’s an overwhelming problem in itself. However, to reduce the risk of developing a secondary mold issue — or to discover a hidden mold problem that already existed — we highly recommend having a home mold inspection from Pure Maintenance of St. Louis.
Pure Maintenance of St. Louis can determine if there is a mold problem in your home within a few hours. Extensive testing may be needed to discover the exact location of the mold.
Initial testing will reveal elevated mold levels in your home. In most cases, this does indicate an established mold colony that will need to be removed. But if you’re lucky, these elevated mold numbers could just be the precursor to a mold infestation.
If you have any doubts about the presence of mold in your home, schedule a mold inspection right away. And now that you understand the connection between a termite infestation and mold growth, prevent against both by controlling moisture in your home.
And, of course, if you do find termites in your home, be proactive about having mold testing done.
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