What's always lurking, just out of sight, waiting to spring up at a moment's notice and rear its ugly head? No, it's not the boogeyman. It's something even scarier: the mold monster. We all know that the boogeyman likes to hide under our beds and is really just a figment of our imaginations. But the mold monster, well, he's REAL!

Mold spores are everywhere, floating through the air in search of a place to invade. No matter where you live, even on the frozen tundra or in the middle of the Sahara desert, you'll find mold spores. They are natural microorganisms that serve a specific purpose of breaking down organic materials. However, if mold spores land in your home, they could sprout into the mold monster and the materials that the mold monster will feed upon happen to be your home and its contents.

All it takes for mold spores to transform from invisible flying specks to full blown mold monsters is the magic elixir: water. Even the tiniest amount of water attracts mold spores. You can tame the beast if you can control the elixir. Without water, mold cannot grow or thrive. If you want to be the hero of this adventure and conquer the mold monster once and for all, you have to start by drying out the home.

First, where is mold growing? Most likely in a moist location such as the bathroom or basement. Other common locations include near leaking appliances and pipes, windows, and laundry rooms. As you search your home for telltale signs of mold growth, your best tool is your sense of smell. Mold has a distinctive odor and you should be able to sniff out the mold monster's favorite hideouts.

Homeowners often make the mistake of controlling mold by using bleach and cleaning it up without repairing the underlying cause of the growth. While you may be able to temporarily remove mold, it'll be back because the water source remains present.

Once you've detected mold, search for the cause of the water damage problem. Is a pipe leaking? Does the window have a broken seal? Is there a hole in the roof? Did the hose to the washer spring a leak? Is the tray under the refrigerator filled with water? Is condensation collecting around the air condition? Is water seeping in through the basement walls?

After finding the mold monster's elixir, it's yours to take away. The mold monster won't put up much of a fight as you repair the leaks though you may want some added protection such as an air mask and gloves due to health concerns. If you have allergies, asthma, or a weakened immune system, the mold monster may aggravate your conditions. Depending on the nature and extend of the mold infestation, consider hiring a professional to clean up the current mold problem, repair or replace damaged structures, and apply mold inhibitors. Oh yes, the mold monster is real alright but you can tame the beast by drying out your home.