Mold Attracts Many Types of Bugs in Commercial Properties

4/27/2020 (Permalink)

Mold attracts a number of bugs due to the fact that it breaks down things that bugs commonly consume. Cockroaches are attracted to moldy areas because mold breaks down paper, a cockroach's food of choice. The mold makes the paper easier to digest which allows the nasty little bugs to consume lots of it, easier, and therefore repopulate faster. A thriving environment for cockroaches is anywhere mold has reached wallpaper or a bookshelf. Likewise, booklice enjoy mold for the same reason. Moldy paper is easier to digest for booklice the same way it is for cockroaches. Mold mites, on the other hand, consume the mold directly. Though this almost seems ideal, being that they feast on the mold itself, mold mites produce hairs on their bodies that cause allergic reactions for humans. These hairs float off of their bodies and into the air and are undetectable to us. We may have a reaction to mold mites without even knowing that they’re there. The odor produced by mold attracts termites, being that termites know where there is mold there is weakened wood to consume. 

Knowing that bugs are attracted to mold is frustrating because these bugs can create damage in your commercial property just as much as the mold and water damage. What started as a simple leak or build-up now result in multiple sources of commercial damage. Because of this, the best time to act on the discovery of water damage or mold is as soon as it is found. Give us here at SERVPRO of South Cobb a call at (770) 739-2355 for any water damage restoration emergency, and we will respond right away.