Where does Fusarium Mold Grow?
Fusarium mold grows on a variety of substrates, including wood, granite, concrete, gypsum and many others. It has an adhesive quality to its leaves, so that it can attach itself to other materials. You might see it growing on certain types of sofas or cushions. Fusarium mold can be confused with other microscopic organisms such as Aspergillus mold, Penicillium mold, acremonium, or Cryptocrustum mold. Fusarium is quite a broad genus of filamentous fungus, a very important group of microscopic organisms, often associated with soil, and widely distributed throughout the world. Most species are benign, and are relatively common members of the soil biological community.
When a person has an allergic reaction to fusarium mold, they may develop a sore throat or fever. This allergic response is not a typical allergic reaction, as the body’s white blood cells usually attack and destroy these molds. Most people exposed to fusarium mold will not even realize they have been infected, since most of them are non-allergic, meaning they didn’t develop an allergic response.
How to find Fusarium Mold
You may have noticed fusarium mold (and other types of mold) growing on damp areas such as shower curtains, bathroom walls, kitchen countertops and behind wallpaper. When you see these dark spots on your surfaces, check back at your home as soon as possible to avoid an infestation. The spores from these tiny spores will penetrate into the surfaces and begin to grow. Over time, these spores can become a real problem, building up behind wallpaper, and causing health problems for those living in the house.
Fusarium mold growing behind wallpaper is especially problematic, since these microscopic spores can travel easily between the wall and carpet, and then into the air. If this happens, there is a very good chance the spores will be carried into other rooms of the house. It can also spread from one pet to another, especially if one of the pets is allergic to fusarium mold. This is why it is important to get rid of any fusarium mold as quickly as possible.
Fusarium mold also likes to grow in wet areas, so these should be disinfected as soon as you suspect an infestation. The easiest way to clean up fusarium mold is to use a bleach water solution. Any surface that can absorb a lot of water should be scrubbed with this solution. For larger areas, it is important to dab the entire area with drywall tape to keep the fusarium mold from getting underneath the tape.
How to remove Fusarium Mold
If the fusarium mold has penetrated the drywall and gotten into the insulation, you may have a much bigger problem on your hands. If the fusarium has penetrated the insulation and made its way into the air ducts, you could have a fire hazard. The spores from this particular type of moldy environment can float around in the air for a long time before they find their way into your home. Mold spores travel through the air, which means they can be breathed in by anyone with a respiratory condition. Anyone with asthma or allergies should stay away from the contaminated area until the fusarium has cleared up.
If you have fusarium mold contamination on your hands, it is important to wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water and then sanitize the areas with bleach. Bleach can kill any remaining bacteria in fusarium mold, so using it to clean the moldy areas is highly recommended. Once you have cleaned the surfaces, be sure to remove all bleach residues from the surfaces and then let them air dry. Air drying will help prevent future mold infections.
Fusarium molds are not always fatal, but they are often found to be very debilitating. They often cause allergic reactions and other respiratory system issues. They also increase the chances of developing lung cancer in susceptible people. Those with asthma or other lung conditions should take care when staying in a moldy home. Living in a fusarium mold infested home can lead to life threatening health complications.
