As the weather begins to brew a chill and the leaves turn to glorious shades of gold and orange, a white woolly monster waits on the horizon of the season we call fall, and it’s not the abominable snowman. From a distance it appears to be a pretty white dusting of snow tucked under the fallen leaves, but a closer look will reveal its true identity. It’s abominable mold! Yuck! Yes friends, fall leaves create the perfect invitation for mold growth. They basically form a layer of insulation over the soil, trapping warmth and moisture below them, thus creating a lovely nesting ground for mold. Mold spores gather and quickly turn into a thriving, and yes, quite abominable, colony.
So how do we tackle the abominable mold tucked under the leaves you ask? The answer is quite simple really. You roll up your sleeves and go at it with your trusty rake and favorite lawn bags. However, beware! The battle of the abominable mold can turn against you if you are not properly equipped for the fight. Mold colonies can produce substances that range from benign to toxic, and can hit you with symptoms like sneezing, runny nose, congestion, wheezing, and even dermatitis.
Here at Guardian Mold Prevent we are all about safe mold removal, so we are happy to offer you a few tips to tackle the abominable mold without losing the fight, such as the following:
Suit up! No solider goes into battle without armor and neither should you. Your armor will consist of a pair of good garden/lawn gloves and a basic mask, such as an N95 respirator.
Rake up! Give the area a good raking and if the weather permits, give it a run with the mower. Pick up any clippings in order to get rid of as much mold as possible and to help the area dry out. Mold loves moisture!
Lighten Up! Shady areas are always more prone to mold growth. If possible, cut back branches and growth that block the sun from shining on your high leaf traffic areas.
Keep it cleaned up! Although it’s impossible to keep your lawn free of fallen leaves, it is possible to keep a good eye on leaf layers and pile up. Taking a few minutes to clear up a few piles of leaves here and there will save you from an accumulation and the invasion of the abominable mold growth.
For more information on mold growth or mold remediation in your home, contact us today at Guardian Mold Prevent. We are proud to offer expert advice and affordable mold solutions.