Mold is unsightly. Mold can be haz-

ardous. Mold can be growing in the

home right now.

Discovering Mold

Mold is an all-natural substance

found throughout nature. Mold spores

are microscopic and can be found in

the dust that forms indoors, and it’s

impossible to keep them from invad-

ing a home. However, it is possible to

prevent the conditions that help mold

proliferate into a problem.

In order to grow, mold only needs a

few easily achieved conditions: mois-

ture and a food source. Food can be

just about any material on which

mold can grow, be it furniture, walls

or floors. Mold prefers temperatures

around 75 F and humidity levels of 70

percent. Generally these are the ideal

conditions in a home.

Health ImplicationsHealth effects from mold can vary

from person to person. Some indi-

viduals may experience coughing,

wheezing, nasal and throat con-

ditions as a result of mold in the

home. Those with asthma or other

breathing difficulties may find their

breathing issues worsen. People with

c o m p r o m i s e d

immune systems

may experience seri-

ous fungal respira-

tory infections.

Severe cases may

require hospitali-

zation.

Keeping a Home Mold-Free

Due to the far-

reaching nature of

mold, homeowners

must be diligent in

their inspections for

mold indoors.

Because moisture

and warmth are the

key ingredients to

mold growth, elimi-

nating the ideal envi-

ronment is essential

to keeping mold

under control.

• Seek out leaks or

other water infiltra-

tion and correct the

problems.

• Use ventilation

fans or open win-

dows in the bath-

room during and

Mold Is a Problemin Many Homes

after showers.

• Don’t leave standing water.

• Check for mold odors and see if

mold is hiding behind walls or under

carpeting.

• Ensure dryers and other combus-

tion appliances are vented outdoors.

• Use a dehumidifier in the home if

humidity is a constant problem.

• Keep the home cool.

Treating Mold ProblemsA homeowner can generally treat a

small patch of mold with bleach or

even vinegar if it is present on bath-

room or kitchen tiles. Carpets can be

treated with baking soda.

Some areas affected by mold

growth will have to be removed; they

cannot be cleaned. Drywall is one

such material.

Because mold spores can be

spread throughout the air, it may be a

good idea to leave mold remediation

to a professional. A company expe-

rienced in mold clean-up will take the

precautions necessary to properly

dispose of mold-infested materials

and prevent the disturbance of mold

that can cause spores to spread.

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CITIZEN’S NEWSFriday, September 24, 2010 19

There’s a Mousein the House

How to Rid the Home of These Pests

HOMEIMPROVEMENT

Apart from a large, hairy spider, few

things elicit fear in homeowners as

much as mice.

Despite their diminutive size, mice

can cause visible and hidden dam-

age throughout a home. They also

can be carriers of disease and con-

taminate many areas of the home.

Getting rid of a mouse can be a tricky

endeavor, but with some patience

and different methods, it is possible.

Identifying a MouseThe common house mouse is 1 to

2 inches long and is gray or brown in

coloring. The head and body length

will be about equal to the length of

the tail. The head is small and ears

are large.

A mouse will eat just about any

type of food, but they especially pre-

fer to munch on seeds, cereal grains

and sweet things. They get their

water needs mostly from food. Mice

do have two major eating times – at

dawn and dusk. However, they can

nibble throughout the day.

Mice like to nest in soft, warm

places. In colder climates, they tend

to move indoors for the comfort a

house can provide. Mice will nest

inside walls, in insulation, in storage

boxes, in drawers, under major appli-

ances, within the upholstery of fur-

niture, or another secluded spot that

is warm and cozy. Homeowners may

see shavings of wood or other debris

that is indicative of a mouse nest

nearby.

Why Are Mice Dangerous?Mice can spread airborne allergens

that can contribute to respiratory

problems, including asthma. They are

also responsible for spreading

Hantavirus, which causes a disease

known as Hantavirus pulmonary syn-

drome (HPS) that is fatal in more

than half of all cases. Symptoms of

HPS include fever, deep muscle

aches and severe shortness of

breath.

Diseases are spread through the

urine, dander and feces of the mice.

Particles become airborne and can

affect individuals living in proximity. A

study in the June 2004 issue of the

Journal of Allergy and Clinical

Immunology reported that 82 percent

of rural, suburban and urban U.S.

homes were found to have mouse

allergens. The numbers may be

higher now.

Mice tend to urinate and defecate

wherever they travel. While mouse

droppings are visible, urine may not

be. Right now in the average house-

hold there could be mouse urine on

kitchen floors, on countertops, inside

of cabinets – just about anywhere.

Exterminating MiceAlthough mice can be cute in

appearance and seem relatively

harmless, sharing a space with them

is not recommended (obviously unless

they are pet mice and caged). Therefore,

extermination methods will be needed.

Poisoning: This method can be

very effective. The mouse takes poi-

soned bait back to the nest and eats

it or shares it with other mice.

Eventually the poison will take effect.

However, in homes with pets or chil-

dren, this may not be the best

method. Also, a homeowner cannot

control where the mouse will die.

There may be an odor present while

the mouse decomposes.

Glue traps: Glue traps are some of

the most common found in stores.

The mouse travels onto the trap after

a piece of bait and gets stuck on the

extremely sticky board. These can be

effective. However, a mouse that is

only partially stuck on the board may

gnaw off a foot to get free.

Snap traps: The old-fashioned

mousetrap is spring-loaded and will

activate when the mouse trips the

switch. Some mice know how to out-

smart these traps.

Live traps: For homeowners who

don’t want to kill the mouse, live traps

have a door that will close after the

mouse is inside. The mouse can be

relocated far away from the house.

Keep in mind that mice tend to be

wiley. They can learn to recognize

traps and avoid them. Moving the

traps regularly can help with trapping.

Also, use gloves when handling the

traps because mice can be put off by

strange scents.

Cleaning After MiceBecause of the contaminants that

are in the home from mice, it is rec-

ommended that most surfaces be

cleaned with bleach. Carpets should

be shampooed and vacuumed thor-

oughly. Items that can’t be cleaned,

such as books, should be stored out-

side to air out.

After the mouse is eradicated,

check the home for entry points.

Cover them up with metal grating to

prevent future access. Also, examine

habits around the house and revolve

to clean up crumbs, spilled food, etc.

so that the home won’t be attractive

to other mice.