We’ll let you in on a little secret: you're always in the company of thousands, if not millions, of tiny and mostly invisible life forms.

Invisible bugs, you ask? Yes, indeed. These microscopic organisms are very much at home in your spaces. They inhabit the air we breathe, the surfaces we touch, and maybe even the skin we wash with our favourite scented soap.

But before you shudder and feel a tickle on your skin, remember that most of these microscopic visitors aren't necessarily harmful.

They are just part of the bustling ecosystem we call home. However, we might notice them by their specific smell or observing certain colour changes and stains.

Here comes the slightly unnerving part—this fungal growth is what we all know as mould.

Mould is a type of fungus: Moulds belong to the kingdom of Fungi and are multicellular organisms. They are different from plants, animals, and bacteria. Image by sandym10 from unsplash

Remember the disappointment when we dig out that 'out of sight, out of mind' orange from our fruit bowl, only to discover half of it covered with a velvety blue-green layer? That's mould caused by these tiny organisms finding a new home in your food.

However, the colours appearing on our once-edible goodies are not just signs of neglect – they also tell us secret tales about the elusive world we try not to think about.

Each colour of mould is unique and reveals fascinating secrets hidden under their vibrant hues. So, buckle up as we embark on this multicoloured, microbial journey!

Black Mould​

Often perceived as a menace, the black mould is a commonly feared occurrence. It's known for emerging in flood-impacted homes and is hence associated with high alarm levels.

However, rest assured, not all black discolouration implies a health hazard.

The dreaded toxic black mould, known as Stachybotrys, generally grows on building materials that have been wet for extended periods.

Blue Mould​

A vividly coloured blue mould, thanks to Penicillium, can be spotted on your forgotten fruit treats. Fun fact, this vibrant visitor also gives us blue cheese and the antibiotic penicillin.

There are hundreds of species in the Penicillium family, and each comes with its unique quirks and qualities.

Yellow Mould​

Yellow or orange staining insinuates sunlight-loving fungi like Stemphylium and Epicoccum – enjoying the limelight, quite literally!

These species often hitch rides on natural substances and turn damp items into funky-looking, colourful art pieces.

Green Mould​

Mould reproduces by releasing tiny spores into the air. These spores are lightweight and can travel through the air, allowing mould to spread and colonise new areas. Image from flickr

The ever so common green mould, with the notorious fungi duo, Aspergillus and Trichoderma, chooses to inhabit bread, cakes and other food items.

Aspergillus grows like a blowing dandelion under the microscope and produces spores that can freely float in the air for days to months.

In contrast, Trichoderma, Latin for 'hairy skin', grows on damp cardboard or dirty carpets.

Pink, Purple, and Red Mould​

Next are the pink, purple, and red varieties. Neurospora, also known as 'red bread mould', is famous in the scientific community.

Then we have Fusarium, turning spoiled rice into a purple-tinted phantom, sometimes creating splotchy patches on wet cement sheets.

Lastly, the pink hue commonly found around your bathroom taps or in the shower comes from a bacterium called Serratia, which loves dining on leftover soap residues.

White Mould​

Finally, the white mould. Ever come across a transparent, floury-like growth on a moth or cicada? That's Isaria farinosa enjoying a parasitic feast on your unfortunate insect guests.

Key Takeaways

• The types and colours of mould in your house can reveal a lot about the bacteria and organisms you are sharing your space with.
• Black stains usually signify either Stachybotrys or Aureobasidium fungus, blue marks are usually caused by Penicillium, yellow and orange stains can signify the presence of Stemphylium and Epicoccum, green marks indicate Aspergillus or Trichoderma, and pink, purple, and red can indicate Neurospora, Fusarium or Serratia.
• Even though mould is commonly thought to thrive in dark environments, some fungi require exposure to light to complete their life cycle.
• The stains or coloured spores visible to the naked eye are often the fruiting bodies of these fungi, which sprout out after the roots, called mycelium, have spread through the given material or food item.

So there you go, a vibrant palette of mould unveiled just for you!

We love a bit of science, but it doesn't mean we welcome mould in our homes! To know how to prevent mould, read this article.

 

[Luckyus]

We’ll let you in on a little secret: you're always in the company of thousands, if not millions, of tiny and mostly invisible life forms.

Invisible bugs, you ask? Yes, indeed. These microscopic organisms are very much at home in your spaces. They inhabit the air we breathe, the surfaces we touch, and maybe even the skin we wash with our favourite scented soap.

But before you shudder and feel a tickle on your skin, remember that most of these microscopic visitors aren't necessarily harmful.

They are just part of the bustling ecosystem we call home. However, we might notice them by their specific smell or observing certain colour changes and stains.

Here comes the slightly unnerving part—this fungal growth is what we all know as mould.

View attachment 23703

Mould is a type of fungus: Moulds belong to the kingdom of Fungi and are multicellular organisms. They are different from plants, animals, and bacteria. Image by sandym10 from unsplash

Remember the disappointment when we dig out that 'out of sight, out of mind' orange from our fruit bowl, only to discover half of it covered with a velvety blue-green layer? That's mould caused by these tiny organisms finding a new home in your food.

However, the colours appearing on our once-edible goodies are not just signs of neglect – they also tell us secret tales about the elusive world we try not to think about.

Each colour of mould is unique and reveals fascinating secrets hidden under their vibrant hues. So, buckle up as we embark on this multicoloured, microbial journey!

Black Mould​

Often perceived as a menace, the black mould is a commonly feared occurrence. It's known for emerging in flood-impacted homes and is hence associated with high alarm levels.

However, rest assured, not all black discolouration implies a health hazard.

The dreaded toxic black mould, known as Stachybotrys, generally grows on building materials that have been wet for extended periods.

Blue Mould​

A vividly coloured blue mould, thanks to Penicillium, can be spotted on your forgotten fruit treats. Fun fact, this vibrant visitor also gives us blue cheese and the antibiotic penicillin.

There are hundreds of species in the Penicillium family, and each comes with its unique quirks and qualities.

Yellow Mould​

Yellow or orange staining insinuates sunlight-loving fungi like Stemphylium and Epicoccum – enjoying the limelight, quite literally!

These species often hitch rides on natural substances and turn damp items into funky-looking, colourful art pieces.

Green Mould​

View attachment 23704

Mould reproduces by releasing tiny spores into the air. These spores are lightweight and can travel through the air, allowing mould to spread and colonise new areas. Image from flickr

The ever so common green mould, with the notorious fungi duo, Aspergillus and Trichoderma, chooses to inhabit bread, cakes and other food items.

Aspergillus grows like a blowing dandelion under the microscope and produces spores that can freely float in the air for days to months.

In contrast, Trichoderma, Latin for 'hairy skin', grows on damp cardboard or dirty carpets.

Pink, Purple, and Red Mould​

Next are the pink, purple, and red varieties. Neurospora, also known as 'red bread mould', is famous in the scientific community.

Then we have Fusarium, turning spoiled rice into a purple-tinted phantom, sometimes creating splotchy patches on wet cement sheets.

Lastly, the pink hue commonly found around your bathroom taps or in the shower comes from a bacterium called Serratia, which loves dining on leftover soap residues.

White Mould​

Finally, the white mould. Ever come across a transparent, floury-like growth on a moth or cicada? That's Isaria farinosa enjoying a parasitic feast on your unfortunate insect guests.

Key Takeaways

• The types and colours of mould in your house can reveal a lot about the bacteria and organisms you are sharing your space with.
• Black stains usually signify either Stachybotrys or Aureobasidium fungus, blue marks are usually caused by Penicillium, yellow and orange stains can signify the presence of Stemphylium and Epicoccum, green marks indicate Aspergillus or Trichoderma, and pink, purple, and red can indicate Neurospora, Fusarium or Serratia.
• Even though mould is commonly thought to thrive in dark environments, some fungi require exposure to light to complete their life cycle.
• The stains or coloured spores visible to the naked eye are often the fruiting bodies of these fungi, which sprout out after the roots, called mycelium, have spread through the given material or food item.

So there you go, a vibrant palette of mould unveiled just for you!

We love a bit of science, but it doesn't mean we welcome mould in our homes! To know how to prevent mould, read this article.

I seem to remmber reading many years ago about all the litllte things that are a living part of us, without which we couldn't or wouldn't survive?.