Mold is the newest environmental scare grabbing the public’s attention. Although mold has always been present in homes, schools, and office buildings, it has not received the nationwide attention that it is receiving today. Homeowners and apartment residents across the country are filing lawsuits in increasing numbers, claiming that indoor mold has harmed their health. Because this issue keeps growing, owners and managers need to be aware of the concerns surrounding mold and may need to take steps to protect themselves from liability.  A recent survey revealed that 50 percent of homes have had problems with moisture.  And with more than 100,000 species in the world, it’s no wonder molds can be found in or on all types of materials and structures. 

Multi-family structures are more susceptible to moisture and mold problems due to increased incidences involving leaky plumbing, high humidity, or failing roof systems.  Less obvious sources of fungal growth is penetrating and rising damp, which is water that can come up from the ground or through exterior walls because the wall material is porous and can conduct water.  In addition to property damage, mold can cause serious environmental     concerns and health problems.  For owners and managers, mold represents a significant financial exposure.

Given suitable conditions for growth, mold and decay fungi can begin flourishing within 24 hours.  Mold grows by eating and destroying organic building materials and other cellulose-based materials such as carpeting, upholstery, and clothing.  The longer mold grows, the more mold damage to the building.  The average cost of mold remediation is ten times that of new construction, so preventative measures need to be in place to reduce a community’s liability.

Who is most at risk?  It is about dosage of specific mycotoxins and exposure to specific fungal molds and the human’s health status. Genetically about 25% of the population has an innate sensitivity to fungal mold and other contributing factors.  The most vulnerable to fungal related illnesses are infants, elderly, diabetics, and those with low white blood cell counts.  Apartment management should pay special attention to those areas most prevalent for fungal outbreaks.  These areas include the bathroom where high moisture and humidity conditions exist, kitchen ceilings, walls, and under linoleum flooring.  Mold is not a problem that can be hidden with a coat of paint, maintenance staff should have the information and training to identify early stages of fungal growth.

The multi-family unit industry can breathe easier knowing that Nisus Corporation has         formulated a product called Bora-Care.  When Bora-Care, the highly effective termiticide, insecticide, and fungicide is used with Mold-Care, the result is permanent protection against mold, wood destroying organisms and wood decay fungi.  The specific active ingredient in Mold-Care is a special disinfectant, the same as used to sanitize restaurants and hospitals, that has been formulated by Nisus to be used with Bora-Care for even greater performance.   The product can be applied to all types of construction material including drywall, block, brick, composite materials and cellulose based materials.  The combination of Bora-Care with Mold-Care provides optimum protection of treated materials.

With the addition of Bora-Care, Prevail! offers its customers a one time treatment that      provides permanent protection against drywood  termites, subterranean termites, wood infesting beetles, carpenter ants, mold and wood decay fungi.

So what is Bora-Care?  Bora-Care is derived from the natural element Boron.  Borates aren’t new at all; in fact they have been in use for thousands of years. 

Egyptians used borates in the mummification process, and borates are found in everything from face cream to laundry detergents to fertilizers and even cancer treatments. 

Nisus Corporation has managed to use one of nature’s products to create a pesticide, termiticide, and fungicide which allow pest control operators like Prevail! to offer an environmentally sound, comprehensive pest control program.

Borates have had a profound impact on the pest control industry.  First introduced in 1918, Boric acid was found to be effective for cockroach control and in in 1958, drywood termites were found susceptible to borates.  Today, Bora-Care is accepted by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development and is listed in the 2000 International Building Code as a suitable alternative to pre-treatments.  Pest control   companies throughout the country have employed the use of Bora-Care for drywood termite control.

The thought of an unsightly fumigation for termites coupled with the cost of relocating the residents for 2-3 days is enough to make any manager cringe.  Prevail! Pest control offers Bora-Care treatments as a viable alternative to tent fumigation.  Specially designed treatment equipment and training is necessary for a successful and verifiable application of the low-odorous product.  But the significant advantage over structural fumigation is the long lasting protection against wood destroying organisms in addition to the fact that there is no need for residents to vacate their unit during the treatment process.

Last year, approximately 400,000,000 gallons of soil termiticides were pumped around and under new homes constructed within our country for the prevention of subterranean termites.  That number is dropping as 6 of the top 10 homebuilders are switching to Bora-Care for environmentally responsible termite treatments.  It requires only 2 gallons of Bora-Care to protect a home versus 300 gallons of termiticides.  Nisus Corporation in one year has captured 5% of the huge US home building termite pre-treatment market.  Bora-Care prevents subterranean termite infestations by destroying the micro-organisms within a termite’s digestive system which prevents them from digesting cellulose based materials.  One treatment with Bora-Care will protect the structure permanently.  Bora-Care is clearly a responsible and necessary approach to protecting our homes, our health, and our environment.