When you encounter mold in your home, getting rid of it should be prioritized. However, cleaning it up properly requires using the right methods and the right cleaners.
One of the biggest problems homeowners have when trying to get rid of mold is making the mistake of thinking of mold as the same thing as bacteria.
While mold and bacteria share some similarities, they are their own distinct organisms. Mistaking them for being the same thing can lead to some serious problems for you, your home, and your health. Here is what you need to know about the differences between mold and bacteria.
What Is A Mold?
In simplest terms, a mold is a fungus, similar to mushrooms or other fungi. Mold thrives in hot and moist environments. Mold is a single-cell organism. Mold features a nucleus. Mold is capable of forming colonies. Mold grows as longer multi-celled filaments known as hyphae.
What Is A Bacteria?
Bacteria is a single-cell microorganism that has no nucleus. Bacteria can form large colonies or clusters. The requirements for bacteria growth differ depending on the type.
Why Do I Need to Know the Difference?
While it may seem that molds and bacteria have a lot in common, the truth is that they are very different, and if you want to get rid of them, you have to understand those differences. A method you use to clean and eliminate one may not work on the other.
Hypothetically, you could find yourself using methods to eliminate both, and your efforts would be wasted. Knowing the differences between mold and bacteria can shorten the overall remediation process.
The other reason you need to know the difference between the two entities is that they each have different effects on one's health.
Mold travels by emitting spores into the air, which can be inhaled by a person, ultimately causing respiratory illness. Bacteria is also capable of causing sickness through more direct contact.
The Differences Between Mold and Bacteria
Structure and Appearance
The primary differences between mold and bacteria begin with the understanding that they are two entirely different organisms. Bacteria, while capable of forming clusters, is a single-cell organism. Mold, however, is a multi-celled fungus that is typically more complex. Bacteria, for the most part, tend to be invisible to the naked eye, while mold is easy to spot due to its dark, splotchy appearance.
Definition of Bacteria
To recap, bacteria is a single-celled organism that can form clusters. It lacks a nucleus and other organelles, and only some bacteria is capable of causing illness.
Definition of Mold
Mold is a multi-cellular organism that can also form clusters. It is visible to the naked eye and is capable of causing serious respiratory illness.
Reproduction
Bacteria differ in many ways, but none are quite as apparent as how they reproduce.
How Do Bacteria Reproduce?
Bacteria, being a single-celled organism, reproduce asexually through binary fission. This means that when the bacteria cell grows to a certain size, it breaks off a piece of itself.
How Does Mold Reproduce?
Mold reproduces by emitting mold spores, which latches to any surface with warmth and moisture.
Mold Effects
Mold is a corrosive substance that can eat away at whatever material it latches onto. It is also capable of causing serious respiratory illness with similar symptoms to that of an asthma attack. Mold can do a small amount of damage to an area, or if left unchecked, it can damage a home.
Bacteria Effects
Bacteria can cause the decomposition of dead materials. Bacteria can also be responsible for numerous health problems such as pneumonia, syphilis, tooth decay, and other diseases. Some bacteria can have a corrosive effect, but not all.
Implications of Having Mold in the Home or Workplace
Health Effects
One of the worst things about mold is that it has a tremendous negative effect on a person's health when left unchecked. That's just one of many negative health effects of mold. It doesn't stop with humans; even your pets suffer when exposed. As a pet owner, you should learn more about animal wellness in moldy environments.
If a person inhales a mold's spores, they enter their lungs and airways. The mold, already looking for a moist and warm environment, will feel right at home in a person's respiratory system.
Remediation and Prevention
It must be removed if you have mold in your home or business. Here, we will detail what needs to happen to remove the mold safely and how you can prevent mold growth in the future.
Removal
To remove mold growth in the home or business, you must first assess whether or not you can handle it yourself. If the mold covers a surface area of more than ten square feet, you must bring in a water damage specialist, per the Environmental Protection Agency's guidelines.
In most cases that do not require the help of a mold removal expert, you are looking at a problem that can be dealt with using things you may already have in your home.
Using rubber cleaning gloves, a face mask (preferably a respirator), vinegar, water, and a soft-bristled cleaning brush, you should be able to clean up any surface-level mold you find.
- First, spray the afflicted surface with your cleaning solution (70% water, 30% white vinegar).
- Allow the cleaning solution to set up for roughly fifteen minutes. Gently scrub the afflicted area until the mold has been loosened.
- Then take a dry washcloth and wipe the mold away.
- Repeat this process until the mold is gone.
- Then dry the area thoroughly and allow it to air dry.
Importance of Professional Help
If you find that the mold in your home has become more than just a few splotchy patches on the wall or ceiling, it is time to call a professional to help. Calling a professional contractor will save you time and money because it will ensure that the job is done right.
A professional will not only find all of the mold but also find the root cause of the mold along with any further damage the mold might be causing. An expert will also help you eliminate it expeditiously so your home and life can return to normal.
