There are more than 100,000 species of molds, which can spread through the air in microscopic spores and grow on any surface that provides organic nutrients or dust, moisture and the proper temperature, according to the National Association of Mold Remediators and Inspectors.

And mold and mildew is just unsightly and gross.

Here are five things you need to know about mold in your home and workplace:

1) Indoor mold can cause health problems. According to the Centers for Disease Control: "In 2004 the Institute of Medicine (IOM) found there was sufficient evidence to link indoor exposure to mold with upper respiratory tract symptoms, cough, and wheeze in otherwise healthy people; with asthma symptoms in people with asthma; and with hypersensitivity pneumonitis in individuals susceptible to that immune-mediated condition."

2) Indoor mold can put your insurance policy at risk. According to the National Association of Mold Remediators and Inspectors, insurance companies paid out more than $3 billion in mold and moisture intrusion claims, so some insurers have canceled policies or refused to issue them if they include mold.

3) Mold has a variety of appearances. Mold often grows in spots, but it comes in a variety of colors. It has a musty smell.

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4) You can reduce your risk for mold by: keeping the air humidity at 50 percent or lower; ensuring proper ventilation in bathrooms, kitchens and laundry areas; promptly fixing any leaks in roof, walls or plumbing; and cleaning and drying your home within 24-28 of flooding.

5) Bleach isn't an ideal solution to mold. It just discolors the mold without killing it at the source, according to Billings-based BYO-Safe Environment. And improper use can cause some health risks of its own, the CDC has stated.

Mildew is very similar to mold but it's a surface fungus that typically is gray or white. You'll want to eradicate it from your home when you find it, HGTV advises.

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Aside from the health concerns and unsightliness, mold and mildew in a home or business can be a headache because it can be difficult to know if you got it all. There is a company based here in Billings that has state-of-the-art technology to tackle the problem.

BYO-Safe Environment has a system that can disinfect your whole house (including hard-to-reach and hard-to-clean spots) with a solution that will keep killing mold and mildew for weeks (and even years, depending on environmental conditions.)

BYO-Safe Environment uses an electrostatic wrap-around spray that is quicker, covers better and lasts longer than other cleaning methods, such as wiping surfaces down with bleach products. As the solution wraps around the surface, the positively-charged particles tend to be attracted to the neutral or negatively-charged surfaces and distribute themselves over them evenly. No corners are missed to become grimy breeding grounds.

Ready to get started? Call BYO-Safe Environment at 406-861-8881 or message them here. BYO-Safe Environment also can disinfect homes, offices, gyms and child care centers as the cold and flu season heats up!

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