Have you ever witnessed insects and bugs around mold growth? There are some insects that actually feed on mold.
There is a variety of insects that feed on organic matter, and mold is no exception. There is a type of insects that are known as mold mites, and they feed solely on mold. These pests are rarely seen, and often go unnoticed until they have swarmed an area in large numbers. Mold mites are usually seen in places with high humidity and moisture. If their number grows, they are hard to control. In this article, we shall learn more about these mold-eating pests, and ways to control them.
Let’s Identify Them
Mold mites come from a family of insects that are often referred to as tyroglyphid mites. Other insects belonging to the same family are cheese mites, flour mites, and grain mites. As discussed above, these insects are primarily found in areas of high humidity and mold growth, for mold is their primary diet. Studies have shown that mold mites are commonly found in furniture, dry fruits, straw, seeds, flour, bulbs, and wallpapers.
Effects of Mold Mites
Unlike other insects, mold mites do not bite or sting and are potentially harmless. These mites do not eat clothes and other kinds of fabric and are found in humid places. If you notice skin casts in food items, it is a sign that a heavy mold mite infestation has taken place. However, when they come into contact with human skin, they cause a skin allergy known as grocer’s itch. They also cause a sweat-like odor when present in large numbers.
Controlling Mold Mites
Although difficult, controlling mold mites is not an impossible thing to do. Controlling mold mites need some chemical methods, as well as a few cultural ones.
As far as the cultural methods are concerned, the first thing you need to do is limit the amount of humidity mold mites need to survive. This will allow you to control their numbers before you can finally eliminate them. This approach is especially important in places where you have stored dry fruits and cheese. Furthermore, to keep them from catching mold mites, food items need to be kept in airtight jars.
Now, let’s talk about some of the common chemical methods to get rid of mold mites. To get rid of mold mites, you can resort to insecticide sprays available in the marketplace. However, these insecticides need to be sprayed intelligently and must target the areas where the mites live. For better results, the spar should be applied in areas where the mites breed, and if some of them are left behind, they will again attain large numbers. To get rid of mold mites once and for all, you must combine cultural and chemical methods the right way.
Now that you know all about mold eating insects, make sure to use the aforementioned tips to get rid of them, when spotted. Make sure to remove any mold in your home, and if you fail to do so, seek help from a professional restoration company in Fort Worth, TX.
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