Mold Crawl Space

Pulled up carpet reveals mold in the Mississippi gulf coast; Southern Pest Control

mold crawl space

Mold Crawl Space

Mold Symptoms 

Mold in your home can cause symptoms such as

  • Asthma
  • Sore eyes
  • Itchy skin
  • Runny or blocked nose
  • Sneezing
  • Coughing
  • Sore throat

Often people do not realize these symptoms are caused by mold in the home. They might instead think they have a cold or something else.

One sign that these symptoms are from mold is that the symptoms decrease when you leave your home. Another sign is that multiple people in your home suffer these symptoms.
Mold Smell

Another sign of hidden mold is a moldy smell. If the smell is worse in certain rooms then the mold is probably growing near that area.

If the mold smell gets worse when the air conditioning or heating is on then there could be a mold problem in the HVAC, or in your air conditioner or heater.
Seeing Mold

Sometimes people see mold without realizing. You might have to look closely to identify mold. People often have mold growing in their bathroom, on the grout between tiles. However they do not realize it is mold.

People also might ignore small amounts of mold, even though they can see it. However small amounts of mold means there is enough moisture for mold to grow. It can mean there is more mold in the home.

 

If your house has a crawl space, you’ve probably noticed the foundation vents on the outside of your home. The original purpose of these vents was to circulate and replace tile air in the crawl space with fresh air from the outside. For many years, this system appeared to work very, well. New Scientific Studies have shown that conventionally vented crawl spaces may not only cost you more energy dollars, but may also cause serious threats to your indoor air quality.

 

We at Southern Pest Control can help you and your family with potential mold issues involving the crawl psace in your home. Please visit our website at www.southernpestcontrol.biz to learn how we can help protect you from dangerous mold in your home with our CrawlSpace Care System.

 

Types of Termites

Termites destroying wood in the Mississippi gulf coast; Southern Pest Control

termites

 

There are three major types of termites found in the United States: subterranean, drywood, and dampwood. Formosans are considered a type of subterranean. There are over 2,000 different species, which all have distinct scientific name.

They range from 1/4 to 1/2 an inch in length. The queens and kings are larger, capable of reaching over one inch long. The workers are typically soft-bodied and pale-colored. Flying termites, also called reproductives, have two pairs of prominent wings.

Each type has its own dietary preferences. Subterraneans prefer softwoods, but may invade most species of wood. Dampwoods generally stay close to the ground, but will choose moist, decaying wood anywhere it is found. Drywoods are often found in attics and require little moisture in the wood they eat.

They are detritivores, or detritus feeders. They feed on dead plants and trees. They get nutrients from cellulose, an organic fiber found in wood and plant matter. Wood makes up the majority of the pests’ diet, although termites also eat other materials such as paper, plastic, and drywall. Most species prefer dead wood, but some termites feed on living trees.

Commonly, they live in wooden structures, decayed trees, fallen timber, and soil. Habitats vary among species as some require different amounts of moisture. The pests are found in greater numbers in tropical regions where living conditions for termites is optimal. Subterraneans are the most abundant variety and can be found throughout the United States. Both dampwood and drywood species are generally more localized in the Southern states.

Subterraneans homes are usually formed in soil. Within these mounds, they build elaborate tunnel systems and mud tunnels through which they access above-ground food sources. Drywood termites live within the wood they consume and oftentimes infest walls and furniture. Subterraneans are constantly forging tunnels under your ground around your home.

When a colony has matured, winged, swarming termites can be seen around windows and doors. Winged ones are highly attracted to sources of light and are most active in springtime. After mating, these  locate a new breeding site and create another colony, spreading infestations throughout multiple locations in the case of drywood termites. The swarming season in the Southern states is normally in May.

We at Southern Pest Control have been controlling termites in South Mississippi for over 35 years. Our technicians are well trained to handle all your termite problems. Please call us at 800 527-9832 to give you a Free Estimate to control termites around your home. Also, you can visit our website at www.southernpestcontrol.biz to learn more about us and visit our team.