Servall has
sent Technicians to school and certified them to take care
of your
Wood Destroying Fungus problems! We are the first company
in West Tennessee to be
certified and insured to treat for Wood Destroying Fungus
and other FUNGI,by controling and preventing Wood Destroying Fungus
issues. With Wood Destroying Fungus
problems becoming a nation-wide health and structural
problem, Servall
recognized the need to be able to better serve and protect
our communities.
What
Wood Destroying Fungus Are
Wood Destroying
Fungi are organisms that may be found indoors and outdoors. They are
part of the natural environment and play an important role in the
environment by breaking down and digesting organic material, such as
dead leaves. Also called fungi or mildew, Wood Destroying Fungus are
neither plants nor animals; they are part of the kingdom Fungi.
Wood Destroying Fungus can multiply by producing
microscopic spores (2-100 microns in diameter), similar to the seeds
produced by plants. Many spores are so small they easily float through
air and can be carried for great distances by even the gentlest breezes.
The number of Wood Destroying Fungus spores suspended in indoor and
outdoor air fluctuates from season to season, day to day, and even hour
to hour.
Wood Destroying Fungus spores are ubiquitous; they
are found both indoors and outdoors. Wood Destroying Fungus spores
cannot be eliminated from indoor environments. Some Wood Destroying
Fungus spores will be found floating through the air and in settled
dust; however, they will not grow if moisture is not present.
What Wood Destroying Fungus Needs
to Grow
To grow indoors, Wood Destroying Fungus needs moisture and
food. Moisture is the most important factor influencing Wood Destroying
Fungus growth indoors. Controlling indoor moisture helps limit its
growth.
Health Effects
That May Be Caused by Inhaling Wood Destroying Fungus or Wood Destroying Fungus Spores
Inhalation exposure to Wood Destroying Fungus indoors can
cause adverse health effects in some people. Wood Destroying Fungus
produce allergens (substances that can cause allergic reactions),
irritants, and in some cases, potentially toxic substances or chemicals
(mycotoxins). Inhaling or touching Wood Destroying Fungus or Wood
Destroying Fungus spores may cause allergic reactions in sensitive
individuals. Wood Destroying Fungus does not have to be alive to cause
an allergic reaction. Dead or alive, Wood Destroying Fungus can cause
allergic reactions in some people.
Allergic Reactions,
Asthma Attacks, Irritant Effects
Allergic reactions to Wood Destroying Fungus are common
and can be immediate or delayed. Repeated or single exposure to Wood
Destroying Fungus, Wood Destroying Fungus spores, or Wood Destroying
Fungus fragments may cause non-sensitive individuals to become sensitive
to it, and repeated exposure has potential to increase sensitivity.
Allergic responses include hay fever-like symptoms such as headache,
sneezing, runny nose, red eyes, and skin rash (dermatitis). Wood
Destroying Fungi can cause asthma attacks in people with asthma who are
allergic to it. In addition, Wood Destroying Fungi can irritate the
eyes, skin, nose, throat, and lungs of individuals whether or not the
are allergic.
Other Health Effects
Breathing in Wood Destroying Fungus spores may also cause
Hypersensitivity Pneumonitis, and uncommon disease that resembles
bacterial pneumonia. In addition, Wood Destroying Fungus exposure may
result in opportunistic infections in persons whose immune systems are
weakened or suppressed.
When Wood Destroying Fungus grows indoors, the occupants
of a building may begin to report odors and a variety of symptoms
including headaches, difficulty breathing, skin irritation, allergic
reactions, and aggravated asthma systems. These and other symptoms may
be associated with exposure to Wood Destroying Fungus. But all of these
symptoms may be caused by other exposures or conditions unrelated to its
growth. Therefore, it is important not to assume that, whenever any of
these symptoms occurs, it is the cause.
For
more detailed information on Wood Destroying Fungus and its health
effects, consult a health professional. You may also wish to consult
your state or local health department.
Although it is frequently found in damp buildings, it is
not the only potential contaminant - biological contaminants other than
Wood Destroying Fungus, and non-biological contaminants are often
present and may also cause health effects. Damp buildings may attract
rodents and other pests. Damp or wet building components and furnishings
may release chemicals indoors.
Potential contaminants in damp and wet buildings include
bacteria, dust mites, cockroaches and other pests, as well as chemicals
emitted by damp building materials and furnishings.
Mycotoxins and
Health Effects
As wood destroying fungi grow, some (but not all) of them
produce potentially toxic by-products called mycotoxins under some
conditions. Some of these are commonly found in moisture-damaged
building. More than 200 mycotoxins from common fungi have been
identified, and more remain to be identified. The amount and types of
mycotoxins produced by a particular fungi depends on many environmental
and genetic factors. No one can tell whether a it is producing
mycotoxins just by looking at it. Some mycotoxins are known to affect
people, but for many mycotoxins little health information is available.
Research on mycotoxins is ongoing. Exposure to mycotoxins can occur from
inhalation, ingestion, and skin contact. It is prudent to avoid
unnecessary inhalation exposure.
For more information on mycotoxins, see the 2004 Institute
of Medicine Report, "Damp Indoor Spaces and Health", published by The
National Academies Press in Washington, DC, and available on the Web.
Wood Destroying Fungus Growth
Wood Destroying Fungus can grow on virtually any organic
material as long as moisture and oxygen are present. There are fungi
that grow on wood, paper, carpet, food, and insulation. Because it eats
or digests what it is growing on, it can damage a building and its
furnishings. If left unchecked, eventually it can cause structural
damage to building materials.
Wood Destroying Fungus gradually destroy the things they
grow on. You can prevent damage to buildings and building contents, save
money, and avoid potential health problems by controlling moisture and
eliminating its growth.
Pests
can be much more than a nuisance-they can become a threat to your
property and potentially your health. That's why pest control is so
important around your home. Protection begins with proper inspection.
Servall Termite and Pest Control offers the latest in Integrated Pest
Management Systems to help you determine the type of pest in your home
or business and the best way to manage their removal.
you with no more gutters to clean and no more ladders to climb.
Termites will begin swarming as soon as spring approaches
with temperatures in the 70's. If you have purchased, built, or
added onto your house, you should have it inspected to prevent potential
structural damage. Termites cause approximately 300 million dollars in damages
a year! If you are thinking of building any structure, you should
discuss with your Contractor the need to perform soil pre-treatments.
Most people don't realize the cost of PRE-treatments is normally
half of the cost of POST-treatment!
Infestations of termites
are usually caused by moisture under or around your home due to
poor drainage of your yard, lack of or improperly installed gutters
and leaks under your house, as well as disturbing the soil by landscaping
and mulching. Each time you add or replace mulch around any structure
you should have it properly treated. Termites resemble flying ants
and normally swarm beginning early March, but can be seen as late
as September. Evidence to watch for includes mud shelter tubes on
foundation walls or even interior walls and door facings where they
may join slab porches, patios, garages and carports. 
