What to Do if You Have Christmas Tree Mold
With Christmas just around the corner, you’re probably already preparing for the festive holiday season. Of course, that usually includes a Christmas tree. But did you know that Christmas trees can carry mold? Live trees often contain countless mold spores living on their needles, which then thrive in the warm and damp environment of your home. That’s why it’s necessary to know where Christmas tree mold can come from and what you can do about it.
How Do Christmas Trees Get Mold?
Most people are surprised that their Christmas tree can be the culprit for their mold issues. So, how exactly does mold get on trees in the first place? First of all, it’s essential to understand that mold spores are present everywhere – even inside your home. At low levels, mold spores are harmless in the air and on surfaces around your home. Unfortunately, there’s no way to remove every trace of mold because its spores are invisible and impossible to eradicate. But don’t worry! Mold only becomes a problem at higher concentrations with the right conditions, and unfortunately, that could come in the form of your Christmas tree.
They’re Already on the Tree
If you notice a sudden musty odor or other symptoms of mold, you should know that mold was present on your tree from the start. Mold doesn’t just appear from nowhere, and it’s likely that the tree in your home has always been full of spores. Live trees kept outdoors are often attractive to mold because there’s a lot of surface area for the spores to stick to, like needles, branches, and its water source. As you drag the tree inside, the movement releases spores into the air, which can then settle all around your home and even make their way into your HVAC system.
Humidity
Humidity is the main source of mold growth. Because it’s present everywhere, finding a humid environment to thrive will cause it to grow, multiply, and spread. Whether the tree is real or artificial, it’s often kept in a moisture-filled climate, whether that’s outside or in your garage. If you do use an artificial tree, store it properly to reduce mold growth. A real tree, however, can be more difficult to predict and control. The best thing you can do is add extra air purifiers and dehumidifiers to your home before and during the Christmas season to cut back on spores.
How to Treat Christmas Tree Mold
Get Rid of the Tree
Understandably, you’d want to keep your tree up for as long as possible, but that could cause more harm if it has mold, but the best way to limit exposure is to limit the amount of time you have the tree in your home. If you do suspect that it does have mold, then you need to get it out of your home as soon as possible. Mold can spread in just 48 hours, so keeping a mold-infested tree inside will make the issue worse by the day.
Mold Inspection and Testing
Notice symptoms of mold, even after the tree is long gone? Then it’s time for a mold inspection. Because the spores can make their way into nearly every area of your home, even behind walls, the only way to really know for sure if you have a developing problem is through a professional inspection. One of the biggest dangers of mold is that it might not always be apparent until it’s too late, but a mold inspector will have special equipment to detect mold. Moisture meters, testing strips, and other high-tech equipment can tell you exactly how much mold there is and where so you can get a head start on eradicating the issue.
Mold Removal
If your mold inspector confirms the presence of mold, your last step is removal. One thing to remember is that you can’t get rid of mold on your own, and trying is especially dangerous. Not only is there no way for you to know that you’ve removed it entirely, but you could also end up spreading the mold to other areas of your home. Mold removal professionals are licensed, meaning they’ve gone through extensive training to have the necessary knowledge. On top of that, the mold cleaners you can buy at the store can’t get to the root cause of mold, and DIY cleaning solutions are even less effective. Professionals have access to unique cleaning solutions, techniques, and equipment that guarantees mold elimination, along with additional testing to ensure that the problem is solved for good.
Mold Inspection and Removal Services
Instead of worrying about Christmas tree mold, call the local mold removal experts at iMold! We’re licensed and insured to perform mold inspection and removal here in Southwest Florida, giving you the peace and mind and safety of a mold-free environment. In addition, our experienced team will provide a free inspection, so if you suspect mold on your Christmas tree, contact us today! We’d love to explain more about what we do and help you be mold-free.
For more mold facts, follow iMold on Facebook and Instagram.