Basic Information about Mold and Mildew

Mold and mildew are substances that are involved in our daily lives, for better or worse. Even though they are common, many individuals do not have a great understanding of these fungi.

What are Mold and Mildew?

Mold is a fungus that grows on many different substances. Unlike plants, which feed themselves through photosynthesis, molds actually gain energy by consuming other substances. For example, if you see mold on your bread, it is most likely consuming the bread it is on. Similarly, mold that is found in the walls may be living off of the wood and other materials that are in the walls.

Mold is a very interesting life form in that it can be very difficult to kill. In fact, some types of mold can survive in freezers or even after being cooked.

Mildew is a generic term that is used to describe mold. The terms mold and mildew are somewhat interchangeable. Many individuals will use the term mildew to describe the substance growing in their shower and it may be used by horticulturists to describe mold that may grow on the backs of certain plant leaves.

The mold that people see on their food, in their bathtub, or in their walls, is actually a colony (or mycelium) of mold. This grouping of mold cells is generally regarded as a single life form that is created through the combination of many of the small organisms.

Although mold may be considered by many to be harmful (and in some cases it may be); mold has many useful functions. One famous example of how mold can be helpful is in the case of penicillin. Lesser-known products that are created with the help of mold include cheese, some sausages, and black tea.

While some molds and mildews are toxic (mycotoxins), other types are not. However, even nontoxic molds and mildews may negatively effect some individuals if those individuals have allergies to molds and mildews.

Although mold spores are constantly around us and impossible to completely eliminate from any environment, these spores need a few things in order to develop into colonies. They require time, nutrients, and moisture. With all of these ingredients, mold and mildew will thrive. Colonies are more likely to develop after events like flooding in a building because the moisture levels are much more conducive to mold development. This can be troublesome due to the mycotoxins that are created by the mold as these toxins can cause reactions among the people living or working in that building.