By https://MoldSafeInspections.com - Mold (American English) is a microbial growth that develops on organic, decaying, dead, or wet materials. In the UK, they spell it, mould. The Latin word is fungus, and the plural is fungi. Yeast and mushrooms are the fruiting bodies of mold but are normally referred to as fungi.

Mildew is another commonly used word here in the U.S. which is often used to identify surface mold in bathrooms and showers, so when you see these different words, please understand that they often have the same meaning and can be used interchangeably.

Molds are microscopic organisms that are neither plant nor animal.  They are part of a kingdom of their own and are parasitic creatures who live off their host, whether it be plants, animals, humans, or just about any carbon structure. They breathe in oxygen and excrete carbon dioxide (CO2) and can be found living both outdoors and indoors.

They are a natural part of the environment and play an important part in nature by breaking down dead organic matter such as fallen leaves and dead trees.

Molds grow in the form of multicellular filaments called hyphae. In contrast, microscopic fungi that grow as single cells are called yeasts. A connected network of these tubular branching hyphae has multiple, genetically identical nuclei and is considered a single organism, referred to as a colony or in more technical terms, a mycelium.

They reproduce by releasing their spores into the air. Their spores are so small that they are invisible to the naked eye; others are visible only under magnification. These spores float through the air and land on surfaces in your home like furniture or walls.

There are many types of mold, and none of them will grow without water or moisture. Once they settle on a surface, they may start growing if conditions are right.

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