Tag Archives: renter tips

Is This Mold or Mildew?

Mold or Mildew | Dianne Perry & Company Blog

 

Is this mold or mildew? Is this something serious or can I clean it myself? You’ve probably asked yourself these questions before and you are not alone. Mold and mildew are similar in nature and can be easy to confuse. Both are fungus, and both thrive in moist environments (you’ve most likely wondered about a spot in your bathroom).

 

Here is how you can differentiate between mildew and mold:

  • The appearance of mold is usually slimy and fuzzy (mold is what appears on rotten food). It is typically red, green, blue, and black in color.

 

  • The appearance of mildew generally looks like a powder and is more gray and white in color.

 

  • Mildew is often found in and around showers, bathtubs, sinks, toilets and even bathroom walls. Mildew, particularly in bathrooms, is incredibly common regardless of how you may clean.

 

  • Mold is more often found on ceilings and walls. Toxic black mold usually grows out of sight and in a damper, darker environment. Toxic black mold requires a lot of moisture over a long period of time to grow. Often, an unknown water leak can cause toxic black mold.

Mold or Mildew | Dianne Perry & Company Blog

Preventing mold & mildew:

  • Eliminate as much moisture as possible. Steam from hot showers is one of the most common sources of moisture, so it is particularly important to use a ventilation fan and keep interior doors open to enhance airflow.

 

  • Use a cleaner! If you notice small spots, scrub the surface with a cleaner that contains bleach (be sure to wear gloves and avoid contact with the skin and eyes).

 

Bzzzz… Mosquitoes! Eek!

How to Prevent Mosquitoes After Heavy Rain or A Storm

How to Prevent Mosquitoes After Heavy Rain or A Storm

After all this rain, you may be thinking about repairs you have to make or what to do now that the forecast is clear. You probably aren’t thinking about mosquitoes and that’s understandable. But mosquitoes pose a threat after a storm and there are mosquito warnings in our area. Below, we’re sharing what you need to know and how you can defend yourself from those itchy bites.

Here is what you need to know:

  • Heavy rains and storm damage will provide attractive breeding sites for species of mosquitoes that remain active until late fall.
  • Holes left by uprooted trees, tire ruts or soil erosion made by vehicles and heavy equipment fill up quickly with water that can stagnate over days. If the weather stays clear, then many of these temporary water sources should dry up and reduce the likelihood mosquito problems. However, if flooding is widespread, then persistent pockets of stagnant water are more likely to become mosquito breeding grounds

 

Here is what you can do to reduce mosquitoes after heavy rainfall:

  • Empty out any objects that have collected water. This could include buckets, tarps, gardening supplies or yard decorations.
  • Make sure that gutters are free of debris and draining properly.
  • Fill any holes left from uprooted trees or plants, or from any shifting due to rainfall.
  • If necessary, treat pools or ponds with an insecticide containing the bacteria Bacillus thuringiensis israelensis (Bti). For more information, consult your maintenance group or a local specialist.
  • It is best to stay indoors as much as possible after a storm, but if you do need to go outside, be mindful of areas that may have more mosquitoes (such as wooded areas) and wear light colored long sleeves shirts and pants. You can also use a bug repellent containing Deet.