Florida’s warm and wet weather makes it one of the best places for mold to grow in homes. Between the high humidity that stays around all year and the heavy rains that come through, mold finds plenty of chances to take over in houses across Miami, Tampa, Orlando, Jacksonville, and smaller towns throughout the state. Knowing what type of mold you have helps you figure out what to do about it.
Why Florida Homes Have So Much Mold
Mold grows best in temperatures between 77 degrees and 86 degrees, which sounds like Florida weather most of the year. Unlike other states where cold winters give homes a break from mold, Florida stays warm enough for mold to grow all year long. The state also deals with flooding often, which gives mold even more chances to start growing.
When you add in poor air movement in closed-up houses with AC running all the time, you get the perfect setup for mold. Each 1-degree increase in thermostat temperature cuts air conditioning costs by about 10 percent, but many people keep their homes very cold, which can cause water to form on cold surfaces where mold then grows.
The Most Common Types of Mold in Florida Homes
Cladosporium
Cladosporium is one of the most common types of mold found in Florida homes and can grow in both warm and cold places. This makes it one of the most common molds in the world. You’ll find it growing on wood surfaces, in carpets, and on fabrics.
Cladosporium usually looks dark green or black. It shows up in bathrooms, under sinks, and around windows where water builds up. The good news is that this type is not toxic, but it can still cause breathing problems and skin rashes in people who react to it.
Aspergillus
Aspergillus is one of the most common molds in Florida homes. Aspergillus molds have a musty smell and can cause several health problems. This mold comes in many colors, including white, yellow, green, and brown.
You’ll see Aspergillus growing on walls, in air ducts, and on food that’s gone bad. It likes to grow in places with lots of dust. People with weak immune systems or lung problems need to watch out for this one because it can cause serious breathing issues.
Penicillium
Penicillium is one of the most common molds in Florida homes. It usually looks blue or green and has a fuzzy surface. Most people know this mold from seeing it grow on old bread or fruit, but it also grows inside walls and under carpets in homes. Learning how to identify Penicillium mold can keep you a few steps ahead.
Penicillium spreads very fast once it starts growing. It puts out spores into the air that can travel through your whole house. This mold grows well in wet places like bathrooms, kitchens, and basements. It can cause breathing problems and allergic reactions in many people.
Stachybotrys (Black Mold)
Stachybotrys, commonly known as black mold, is common and dangerous and should be dealt with immediately in every case. This is the mold that worries people most because it can make toxic substances that cause health problems.
Black mold looks slimy and dark black or dark green. It needs a lot of water to grow, so you’ll find it in places that have had water damage or leaks.
Acremonium
Acremonium mold starts as a small, moist mold that turns into a fine powdery substance with colors ranging from white to grey, pink, orange, or even cinnamon. Acremonium molds can be found in air conditioners, humidifiers, and other places with high humidity.
Acremonium can cause infections in the eyes, lungs, and sinuses. This mold is especially common in Florida because so many homes use AC systems where water builds up. You’ll see it growing on cooling coils and in drain pans.
Alternaria
Alternaria is another common Florida mold. It grows fast and spreads quickly through homes. This mold likes damp places like showers, bathtubs, and under leaky sinks. It looks dark brown or black and has a fuzzy or woolly surface.
People with breathing problems or allergies often react strongly to Alternaria. It’s one of the most common molds to cause allergy symptoms. You’ll often find it growing after water damage from storms or flooding.
Chaetomium
Chaetomium shows up in homes that have had serious water damage. It starts out white but turns gray or brown as it grows. This mold has a musty smell that’s hard to miss. It grows on drywall, wood, and other materials that have been wet and stayed wet.
This mold breaks down the materials it grows on, which can hurt the structure of your home. It’s often found in homes after hurricanes or bad storms that caused flooding. Areas like Fort Myers, Naples, and coastal towns see this mold more often after storm season.
Where Mold Grows in Florida Homes
- Air conditioning and heating ducts: These systems can spread mold spores throughout the whole house if they’re not kept clean.
- Bathrooms: In cities like Miami and Tampa, where humidity stays high even inside homes, bathroom mold is hard to avoid without good air movement.
- Kitchens: Under the sink, where pipes might leak, behind the refrigerator, where water lines connect, and around the dishwasher are all common spots.
- Attics and crawl spaces: Poor air flow and roof leaks create wet spots where mold takes over. In older homes in neighborhoods around Jacksonville, St. Petersburg, or Tallahassee, attic mold is very common.
- Windows and window frames: Water from the AC or rain runs down and sits on the frame or sill, creating a perfect spot for mold. You’ll see this a lot in homes that keep their AC very cold.
If your Florida home has any of these spaces that are considered mold-friendly, make sure to do some regular mold testing to rule out any suspicions.
How to Tell What Type of Mold You Have in Florida
Black or dark green mold could be Stachybotrys, but it could also be Cladosporium or Alternaria. Blue or green fuzzy mold is probably Penicillium. White or light-colored powdery mold might be Acremonium. The only way to know exactly what type you have is to get it tested by someone who knows how to check mold.
Many Florida cities, like Orlando, Sarasota, and Fort Lauderdale, have mold testing companies that can take samples and tell you exactly what’s growing in your home. This matters because different molds need different ways to clean them up, and some are more dangerous than others.
Health Problems from Mold in Florida Homes
Common problems include stuffy nose, coughing, skin rashes, red eyes, and headaches. People with asthma or other breathing problems usually have worse reactions.
Black mold can cause more serious problems because it releases toxic substances. Long exposure to black mold can cause memory problems, dizziness, and feeling very tired all the time. Kids and older people tend to have more problems with mold than healthy adults.
Many Florida homeowners in areas like Gainesville, Lakeland, and Palm Beach have dealt with health issues that got better once they cleaned up mold problems.
Keeping Mold Out of Your Home
- Keep indoor humidity below 60 percent. Use a meter to check humidity levels in different rooms. Run your AC and use fans to keep air moving. Fix any leaks right away, whether they’re from pipes, roofs, or windows.
- Clean and check your AC system often. Change filters every month and have someone check the whole system once a year. Make sure water drains away from your house outside so it doesn’t pool near the foundation.
- Use fans in bathrooms and kitchens when cooking or showering. Open windows when the weather allows to let fresh air in. Don’t let wet towels, clothes, or other items sit around. Dry them right away.
- Check your home for leaks and damp spots often, especially after heavy rains or storms. Look under sinks, around windows, in attics, and in crawl spaces. Catching water problems early stops mold before it starts.
