Before everything else let me tell what am I to tell you.. It's MOLDS.. Common questions are: what are molds? Do they matter or not? Why do they exist? Where do they grow? how do they grow? Do they affect people and the surrounding environment? Are there ways to prevent them from growing back? stop them from growing more?

First things first, what are molds?

Molds are fungi, mildews are younger version of molds but still are molds on early stage.. their purpose or function in nature is to help or aid in the breakdown of organic matter, helps is in absorbing nutrients from dead or living organic matter. They trvel airborne.. They reproduce when damp is present.. they digest the organic materials they grow on and soon will damaged the organic matter or materials..

Do they matter or not? Why do they exist?

yes they matter.. they play an important role in the environment as they breakdown dead or living organic matter.. They are involved in the decaying of leaves and some aspects soil enrichment which wouldn't take place if not for them.

Where do they grow?

molds can grow both indoors and outdoors.

Molds indoors are troublesome.. inside the house are more common issues but also present in schools, rooms, name it, they can grow with it.. Building materials are suitable nutrient sources for mold growth. These include paper and paper products, cardboard, ceiling tiles, wood and wood products, and others such as dust, paints, wallpaper, insulation materials, drywall, carpet, furnishings and fabrics.

More specific and common areas include the cottages(summer cottages, bakeries, construction areas, saunas, antique shops, green houses, etc.

Outdoors, Molds can be found on dead and dying vegetation such as fallen leaves(rotten leaves), straw, grains, and wood(rotten logs).

How do they grow?

They grow when water is present and is being unattended for the least of 24 hours, if still untreated, it will continue to grow, commonly called colonies or mold growth, until steps are taken to eliminate the source of moisture, and effectively deal with the mold problem, not only that it will transfer or scatter adjacent from its original position. Common damp areas are the kitchens (near the sink), bathroom ( includes the shower curtaines, bathroom tiles, tubs), laundry room, basements (after flooding), roofs and ceilings (after rain), leaked pipes, windows and many more areas where water is accessible..

Do they affect people and the surrounding environment?

Yes they do! These health issue about molds have been common lately.. molds travel airborne, thus, we can inhale them that easy since also that they are invisible in the eye (referring to the mold spores). Common symtpoms of mold have been reported that is it is kind of the same with cold and flu such as nasal congestion, cough, throat irritation, lung irritation, eye irritation and sometimes skin rashes since its fungi.. It also causes allergic reactions whichmaybe immediate or delayed response depending on the person's condition.. but repeat exposure does heighten the risk for hypersensitivity.

Are there ways to prevent them from growing back? stop them from growing more?

Yep! ways to control molds is to control the moist.. that's it.. fix everything, the leaks, and dry everything up.. If molds are already visible, use a mold remover or mold killer then pay attention to its source.. there's no point cleaning after it if the main problem is still present right?