You may have noticed a rosy intruder lurking in your kitchen or bathroom - pink mold! Though not as widespread as other types of mold, this fungus is making people take notice with its potential health risks.
From bathrooms and basements, this unwelcome guest can frequently show up unannounced with its unmistakable hue. Pink mold loves damp places and loves to grow on organic materials like wood, paper, and cloth.
So what's the deal?
Pink mold is just a type of bacteria called "Serratia marcescens", which can cause respiratory troubles in people with weak immune systems. It typically grows in moist and damp places such as tubs, showers, sinks, faucets, and toilets - basically, any place where water accumulates.
Pink mold may look more like something you'd find in a cartoon scientist's laboratory than your average household, but it's actually quite common in moist, warm climates.
Pink mold is both abundant, gleefully growing on cheese, bread, fruits, vegetables. Although it appears to be slightly exotic with its bubblegum colors and fuzzy texture, pink mold makes it presence known with an unmistakably pungent smell akin to stagnant water or sour milk. So next time you encounter something seemingly out of this world in the produce aisle of your local grocery store or the walls of your tiled shower - rest assured that it is just some pink mold.
Its strange texture and color have many curious as to just how it grows, even more so, when it shows promise of surviving for months on end. In reality, pink mold behaves the same way as many species of blue and green mold do. It flourishes in damp conditions with access to organic material such as wood, paper, fabric, or food. Once the fungal spores lands in an environment that has enough water, they begin to germinate and quickly spread. Before you know it, the familiar shade of pink will be everywhere.
Fortunately, pink mold in most cases is harmless. Most healthy people are not at risk, it does not cause serious health problems in otherwise healthy individuals. However, people who are immunocompromised may be more susceptible to infections caused by these bacteria, if they come into contact with it. For this reason, it's important to take steps to prevent the spread of pink mold in your home as much as possible.
Pink mold may look pretty in pictures, but it is nothing short of dangerous. For sufferers of allergies or those with weak immunity, pink mold exposure can trigger both uncomfortable and even serious reactions. While it might seem like a harmless fungus, if you have a weakened immune system it's important to take extra steps to avoid possible infection.
Figuring out if your home has pink mold can be tricky - it often blends in with the walls, like a little burglar in the night. The best way to pinpoint any unwelcome visitors is to look for subtle signs that there may be something else hiding behind the wallpaper.
A musty smell or patches of discoloration are good indicators that pink mold might have snuck its way into your home. To start your investigation, check around window frames and near air conditioning units first - that's usually where the telltale signs like rust spots and soft greenish-pink stains appear.
Unless you're a mold expert, chances are you can't spot mold lurking in the nooks and crannies of your home. But don't worry, this mystery can easily be solved by ordering mold testing and inspection. You'll get to the bottom of what's lurking around, allowing you to put mold worries out of your mind and get back to living a mold-free life.
If one type of mold has taken up residence in your home then there is no telling what other types might lurk in the hidden corners. Don't worry - our mold removal professionals at Mold KO know exactly how to sniff out mold and get rid of it completely. Rather than let mold multiply menacingly under the covers - literally! - make sure to contact our experts and get the results you need 888-253-4551!