Setomelanomma/Helminthosporium almost always occurs seasonally and the spores are released on dry, hot days. Species of Helminthosporium are best known as parasites of cereals and grasses. It is frequently isolated from grains, grasses, sugar cane, soil and textiles.

- Found worldwide, most common in warm areas, especially in the southern U.S.

- Important in the Midwest as it grows on farm crops, especially corn. 

- Grain thrashing operations release large quantities. 

How to remove mold from your house?

Mold clean up procedures are somewhat dependent upon the extent of the problem and the type of surface contamination. Large areas of mold in a building may require the services of a professional contractor skilled in mold remediation and removal. Scrub hard surfaces, such as walls, that harbor mold with detergent and water, and these should be dried completely. Discard porous or absorbent materials (such as cloth, ceiling tiles, carpets, etc.) if they become moldy. In some cases, it may be necessary to use a dilute solution of chlorine bleach (no stronger than 1 cup of bleach in 1 gallon of water) or stronger commercial cleaners to kill and remove the mold.

Be sure to discuss any health problem with a health care professional prior to attempting to remove and clean mold if you have an allergy or are sensitive to molds. Use rubber gloves when washing with soap and water, but for bleach and harsher cleaning agents, nonporous gloves (for example, natural rubber, neoprene, nitrile, polyurethane, or PVC) should be worn along with protective eyewear. Wearing an N-95 respirator (available at many hardware stores) can further limit exposure to airborne mold or spores when cleaning. Avoid touching moldy surfaces with bare hands.

After mold removal, it is important to prevent further growth of mold by keeping affected areas as dry as possible.