You most likely know that black mold and mildew are known to grow in damp environments, but you might not know how to tell the two different types of fungi apart. Many people assume that black mold and mildew are one in the same, but they are not. Both can be harmful to your health if you are exposed to them, but one is more harmful than the other. This means that you need to know what the differences are between black mold and mildew, so that you are able to spot what may be growing within your home. If you are someone that deals with allergies, it is even more important for you to be able to identify the differences between black mold and mildew. Here are some of the biggest differences between black mold and mildew.
Color
The one thing that you will notice right away is the color of black mold and mildew. Black mold is black in color, which is a giveaway. However, mildew is white or powdery in texture. This means that the two do not normally look the same. This means that you can often use color to determine what is growing within your home.
Where is it Growing?
Another telltale sign that you can be on the lookout for is the location of the black mold or mildew. This is because the two do often not grow in the same space. Black mold can grow anywhere where moisture exists, but mildew is typically limited to the shower or bathroom area. This means that black mold is what will normally grow in the basement and mildew is what you can find in the shower stall. You can often use the location of the growth to help you identify what type of fungi is growing.
Symptoms
If you are looking to tell the two types of fungi apart based on the symptoms that they elicit, this can be tricky. Both black mold and mildew can cause the same types of reactions in people. This means that eye irritation, wheezing, rashes and coughing are symptoms that are common when you breathe in both these types if fungi. This means that telling the two apart when you are only comparing symptoms can be a bit tricky.
It is simply important for you to be aware that black mold and mildew are not one in the same at all.
