Is white mold harmful?

Like most mold types, white mold ruins the structural integrity of a home or building by eating away its foundation—like fungal termites. Like black mold, white mold can cause many health problems, such as respiratory infections, dizziness, allergic reactions, headaches, and eye and skin irritations.

Why is there white mold on my soil?

The white fluffy stuff on the plant soil is most likely a harmless saprophytic fungus. Too much water, poor soil drainage, contaminated potting soil, and a lack of sunlight can all cause fungal problems (mold) on the plant soil. The “perfect” environment for white mold on house plants to grow is dampness and low light.

How do you remove mold from a dirt basement floor?

Yes, a solution of 1 cup (8 ounces) of bleach to 1 gallon of water will kill mold. The mold will likely leave a stain and bleach will not prevent other mold spores from growing if there is a moisture source.

What happens if you touch white mold?

The symptoms induced by white mold include allergic reactions, respiratory infections, eye irritations, dizziness, nausea, headaches, and even depression. If you suspect you or a family member has been affected by mold exposure, consult a doctor and have the mold removed immediately.

What kind of mold is white?

What is white mold? There are many species of mold found in homes that can have a white appearance, such as aspergillus, cladosporium, and penicillum. These molds may also have other colors present as well. Mold will very often appear white when it is first developing and later change color after producing spores.

Is saprophytic fungi harmful to humans?

Abstract. Most fungi are saprophytic and not pathogenic to plants, animals and humans.

Does white mold grow on dirt?

White fungus on soil- is caused by white mold spores found in soil but are usually kept in check by beneficial bacteria. Yellow fungal mold- is a less common houseplant soil mold, but it can be caused by fungal growth in potting soil.

Does mold live in dirt?

Dirt floor crawlspaces are, by definition, sources of mold. Molds live in the soil, and once the soil is enclosed by foundation walls but left exposed beneath your home, or a section of your home, there will be (or already is) a mold problem to contend with.

What does white mold look like on concrete?

It can be just a white powder on your concrete, salt-like crystals, white fuzzy stuff, or what looks like white stalactites growing on your concrete wall. These white deposits happen when water is drawn out of a cementious material: it is called efflorescence. It is a scientific reaction.

Is white mold in a basement toxic?

White mold or efflorescence? Sometimes people can mistake efflorescence, or salt deposits left after water has passed through a surface, for white mold. Both are common in humid environments like basements, but efflorescence poses no health risk.

What do white mold spores look like?

When white molds are first developing they are very hard to detect since the spores are minsicule. Once the colonies form, white molds will appear as white spots on a surface. The spots can be powdery, fuzzy and filmy in nature.

What is saprophytic mold?

Saprophytic fungi are the largest group of (macro) fungi, responsible for breaking down and recycling dead plant and animal material. These are the fruit-bodies you see on dead trees, leaf litter, animal bones, even faeces.

Is white mold common in basements?

Finding white mold in the basement is never something a homeowner wants to happen. Unfortunately, it’s a more common problem than many people think. The age, construction, and ventilation of your home can easily cause and contribute to mold growth.

What does white basement mold look like?

Once the colonies form, white molds will appear as white spots on a surface. The spots can be powdery, fuzzy and filmy in nature. Although it can look similar to mildew at first, white mold is more harmful since it can grow within organic materials, not just at the surface.

How do you get rid of saprophytic fungus in soil?

Kill off mold spores by soaking the pot in a solution of nine parts water and one-part bleach. Once the container has bathed for ten minutes in the sterile solution, rinse out the pot with water and dishwashing liquid. Dry the pot completely prior to filling it with soil.