Blog Layout

Infestations: Does Mold Attract Bugs?

YESpestpros • Jan 30, 2017

People with mold in their home often notice an increase in the number of indoor bugs. It’s appropriate to wonder, therefore, if mold and bugs are related. Well, they are. Mold — and the environment that fosters it — attracts bugs of many forms.

Conditions that Foster Mold Growth

Mold and bugs are attracted to the same environment, one with warmth and high levels of moisture. Mold needs at least an approximate 70 percent relative humidity to begin growing at temperatures as low as 60 degrees. And some insect species, such as camel crickets, centipedes, and cockroaches, require a lot of water. That’s why they seek out damp environments in homes and other buildings. The more moisture you have, the more of these insects you’re likely to find. Moisture likewise attracts subterranean termites, which feed on wooden supports.

If you have mold and bugs, you will need to address the sources of the moisture before anything else. Moisture can get into your house through a variety of means: leaky roofs, leaky pipes, unventilated bathrooms, spills, drafts, and your crawl space, to name a few.

To reduce moisture, you will have to contact the professional who can address its source. For all crawl-space related moisture problems, Yes Pest Pros in Columbus and Bloomington, Indiana, can provide the services you need.

Mold Itself Attracts Bugs

Infestation: Does Mold Attract Bugs? Yes Pest Pros - Bloomington, Columbus Indiana

Female Fungus Gnat

Bugs need more than moisture to survive, however. They need food, and mold is one source of nutrition. Many bugs feed on mold and decomposing matter. Booklice, for example, often inhabit moldy books. Fungus gnats and mold mites are two other pests closely associated with mold.

Cockroaches, camel crickets , slugs, and millipedes are attracted to mold, too, though not because they feed on it. They’re attracted to the organic matter that mold helps break down and decompose.

The smell of mold also attracts bugs. Many mold species produce gasses called microbial volatile organic compounds (MVOCs). These gasses are what people often associate with the musty smells of mold. While we might not like these smells, bugs do. Termites are one such bug attracted to mold smells. Because mold breaks down wood, it makes it easier for the termites to tunnel. Termites return the favor, of course, by providing mold more areas in which to grow — deeper into the wood.

How to Get Rid of Mold and Bugs

As said, the first thing you need to do is to address the sources of moisture. After addressing (or while addressing) the sources, you can then take care of the mold and bugs.

Bugs will likely disappear once you deal with the mold and moisture. However, if an infestation is severe, or if your home now houses carpenter ants or termites , you’ll need a local pest control specialist to exterminate them.

For wide-spread mold growth, you will have to call a remediation or disaster specialist, such as PuroClean. However, if the mold is limited to your crawl space, Yes Pest Pros can handle the issue. We’re licensed to treat all mold growth in crawl spaces and can make the space under your house so dry and clean you might actually want to go down there.

15 Jun, 2022
Insects that feed on human blood can cause incredible discomfort. In many cases, we don't even know we've been bitten until after they have had their meal. Some inject an anticoagulant into the bloodstream to suck up their meal faster, while others clamp on and indulge in our life-preserving liquid. It helps to know which of these creatures to be watchful of before they attack. That way, we can take active steps to avoid the misery before they get a chance to start.
15 Jun, 2022
We often think of fleas as a nuisance for your cat or dog. They have an annoying way of getting into their fur, and it can be a real problem to get them out. But it is their uncanny ability to get into your home and cause a significant infestation that is a source of concern for many, especially if their presence is not properly eliminated. This has become a significant problem for many people. No doubt, the best way to ensure you don’t get a flea infestation in your home is to make sure they never get inside in the first place.
15 Jun, 2022
Waking up with tiny little bite marks all over your body is never a good thing. As you look at your irritated skin with the tell-tale red spots that itch persistently, you're sure that they result from bed bugs. No one wants their bed infested with these creatures, so you want to get rid of them as soon as possible. But before you decide to launch an all-out attack on these irritants, you need to be sure of what you're dealing with. Unfortunately, plenty of other pests may invade your mattress, and using the wrong treatment to eliminate the problem could delay getting you relief or even worsen the situation. Before you decide on a method of extermination, you need to make sure of what you're actually dealing with. Still, because these bugs are so tiny, you might wonder if they can be seen with the naked eye. The answer is - sometimes. Bed bugs are usually visible in the later stages of development, but there's a good chance that if you can identify bed bugs in their adult stage, many younger ones are lying around, just waiting to take a bite out of you.
15 Jun, 2022
As their name implies, carpet beetles infest carpets and other fibers and are especially active during springtime. The first sign of an infestation is often a dead carpet beetle trapped in a window sill. But you can be sure if there’s one; there are many more. Carpet beetles typically live outdoors but are wintering insects . They will seek the warm cozy interior of your home after temperatures drop, and once inside, they become a threat to your property and food and can cause rashes with their tiny hairs. Carpet beetles feature: “Mottled” coloring of black, brown, white, or yellow. Oval-shaped bodies. Adult length between 1/16 - 1/8 inches. The first concern with any infestation is safety.
15 Jun, 2022
As spring approaches and temperatures begin to rise, all sorts of creepy crawlies emerge in search of food, warmth, and a place to reproduce. Unfortunately, your home could be the perfect place to find all three. If you're not quick to eliminate these pests, you could have a serious infestation on your hands. Here are a few spring bugs that you should keep an eye out for as winter comes to an end. 
By YESpestpros 15 Jun, 2022
Aracniphobs everywhere look to winter as a moment’s respite from spiders. The myth goes that spiders are cold-blooded and can’t survive the winter, but the truth is complex. There are 400 different species of spider in Indiana and 3,500 nationwide. Each one has different behaviors and approaches to surviving the cold. Some die off before winter, like the North American black and yellow garden spider, but others adapt. The body content of your post goes here. To edit this text, click on it and delete this default text and start typing your own or paste your own from a different source.
By YESpestpros 28 Feb, 2022
Moths can be pretty pesky little things; the larvae they leave behind can quickly chew through a wide variety of substances, including your clothes, bedding, and food. In addition, many people can have adverse allergic reactions when they are in their vicinity.  While moths play an essential role in our environment, they tend to be […] The post How to Get Rid of Moths appeared first on Yes Pest Control.
By YESpestpros 15 Feb, 2022
At first glance, ticks do not appear to be dangerous. But don’t let their tiny size and small mouths fool you. These guys are voracious eaters, and the females are known to suck at least 200 times their body weight in blood. They need this feeding cycle to develop through the different stages in their […] The post What Types of Ticks are Dangerous? appeared first on Yes Pest Control.
By YESpestpros 30 Jan, 2022
Nothing can make a homeowner more proud than the exterior beauty of a perfectly landscaped yard. However, all your dedication to beautifying your outdoor space can be tainted when you have underground guests come to visit.  When you start to notice a series of small holes in your yard that seem to emerge out of […] The post How to Get Rid of Moles in Your Yard appeared first on Yes Pest Control.
By YESpestpros 15 Jan, 2022
So you’ve been noticing strange things happening in your house, and you assume that you have a rodent problem. You’ve noticed the corners of your cereal boxes appear to be chewed on. You found a hole in your couch cushions. You may have even seen a mouse or two in the house! But now you’ve […] The post Can Mouse Droppings be Harmful? appeared first on Yes Pest Control.
More Posts
Share by: