Where Is Alternaria Mold Found (And How To Remove It With Ease)

Molds grow both outdoors and indoors, but if you are wondering where is Alternaria mold found, then the typical answer is the latter. However, it can also be seen indoors because of a specific mixture.

As you read this post, you will know the difference between the outdoor and indoor development of Alternaria mold. You will also be aware of the health risks it can cause to humans and a helpful removal guide. 

where is alternaria mold found

 

Alternaria Mold

This type of mold has about 100 species now and appears during spring and summer. Among all the species, Alternaria alternata and Alternaria tenuissima are the two most known types.

Alternaria mold is characterized by dark or gray spots that get bigger as time goes by if not removed immediately. It also has a strong smell which causes people to have allergic reactions.

Compared to other kinds of mold, Alternaria usually develops during summer or spring. That explains why humidity is one factor for them to spread, survive, and grow.

 

Where Can I See An Alternaria Mold?

The Alternaria mold can be seen both indoors and outdoors. Continue reading to cite the difference between the two. 

 

Outdoor development

Alternaria mold is also called outdoor mold simply because they are commonly seen outdoors. Most of this Alternaria mold is seen in plants, soil, grasses, or trees.

Generally speaking, they are inhabitants of fields or anything that has a moderate climate.

The grayish spots that you see in the plants are the Alternaria mold. Most of the time, these are mistaken as dirt or considered as wilting.

 

Indoor development

An indoor development of the Alternaria mold is not commonly seen but is still possible. It happens because two elements are mixed.

The first one is wind, and the other is the mold spores themselves. Mold spores mixed in the wind will surely spread mold.

If you see any Alternaria mold inside your house or any building, know that the said process causes it. In addition, most Alternaria mold species grow on wood surfaces.

Still, Alternaria alternata is a peculiar type since it develops even in materials like iron, bricks, tiles, wallpaper, plaster, canvas, and paper. 

 

Health Risks

They can still impose serious health risks, whether you are exposed to Alternaria mold that grew indoors or outdoors.

The list below are some of the health risks you can experience once you expose yourself to Alternaria mold. Read carefully and be careful not to contract these ailments.

  • Fatigue
  • Headache
  • Skin rashes
  • Sore throat
  • Red-itchy eyes
  • Cough
  • Sneezing or runny nose

Remember that people with asthma and other respiratory diseases are more susceptible to these risks, so you better make them aware of Alternaria mold if you know someone. 

 

Alternaria Mold Removal 

Alternaria mold is dangerous to expose yourself to, so if you see any sign of infestation, either outdoors or indoors, you better take action to remove it. 

The first action you must do is to inspect areas you think are infested by mold. Acknowledge the free help of professional mold inspectors by knowing how to get a free mold inspection.

Meanwhile, if you want to inspect the mold yourself, make sure to wear protective equipment. This way, you will not be directly exposed to the Alternaria mold.

After you inspect and protect yourself, you should now prepare a cleaning solution. Use different cleaning solutions depending on the gravity of the mold infestation.

If you think it is just a light and easy mold problem, just use a vinegar solution. Please mix water and vinegar into a spraying bottle, then directly spray it to the moldy area.

If the problem is worse than expected, use a more concrete mixture instead of a vinegar solution that will surely kill the mold. A combination of detergent, bleach, and water will do.

Like in the first solution, all you have to do in the second one is mix it all together. With the right amount of each, you’ll be able to make an effective solution for Alternaria mold.

Once you put the cleaning solution, scrub the area. Cleanse everything with clean water to get rid of the scrubbed molds.

If, by chance, you cannot remove the Alternaria mold with a specific material, throw it away. If you don’t, the mold will eventually spread and will cause more severe problems.

Furthermore, you can also use anti-mold stickers to prevent another molding issue. A helpful tip on how to use anti-mold sticker awaits you if you visit the link. 

 

Conclusion

There are different kinds of molds, one of them is Alternaria mold, also called outdoor mold. This mold also has various species.

If the question “where is Alternaria mold found” still lingers to you, the answer lies on the upper portion of this article. You can easily spot them whether you’re outdoors or indoors.

It can develop anywhere, especially outdoors, and it can also cause serious health problems. Avoid such issues by removing the Alternaria mold as soon as possible.

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