Mold is a kind of fungus which grows in damp and dark places which do not get much sunlight. You can find a lot of mold or fungus in places which have a lot of rains and the climate is very damp. Molds grow on anything that is left in such places like attics, bathrooms, basements and locations which are musty and damp. Shoes and other leather goods, wood and even the walls in wet areas have mold growing on them.

Molds need food and nutrients and moisture to grow. If food is left outside or sometimes even in the fridge, you will find a fungus growing on it. If bread is left outside and not kept in an airtight box or the fridge it will grow mold within a few days. This is because of the moisture content in the bread. Such food is unsafe for consumption and should be disposed off; it is not safe for the pets to eat too. Molds need food for growth and any organic matter is considered food for molds, so even paper, plants, wood, cloth and soil are sufficient for encouraging the growth of molds. Both cool and warm places encourage the growth of molds all that is really required to grow molds is dampness.

There are several different kinds of molds and often many varieties can be seen growing in the same place. Though molds need moisture for growth a lot of water is not needed. Even the little moisture which comes from any kind of condensation is sufficient for molds to grow. That is why you can find mold growing easily on bathroom tiles, near air conditioning vents and around water sinks and garden fountains, leaking taps, are all causes for the growth of mold.