Algae in the Aloha State
Do these pictures look familiar?
Are you spending hours power-washing your sidewalks, roof, greenhouse surfaces, underneath your air conditioning units, only to finish and start the process all over again? Are you consistently concerned that someone might slip and fall on these slimy surfaces? Your problem most likely has to do with fungus: mold, mildew, or algae.
Fungus: Mold, Mildew, and Algae
What are these things? Fungus, by definition, are any of a group of spore-producing organisms feeding on organic matter. It is an over-arching term that describes mold, mildew and algae.
• Mold thrives under damp and poorly ventilated conditions, is usually fuzzy, and can be many different colors, including blue, green, yellow, brown, gray, black, or white.
• Mildew usually grows in a flat pattern and may appear either powdery or downy.
• Algae is a moss-like plant form that thrives under moisture and sunshine and spreads through airborne spores.
And what do they all have in common? Mold, mildew, and algae need three things to live – food, water, and a surface to adhere to.
Hawaii
These organisms certainly have no problem getting access to food, water, or a place to adhere to in Hawaii. For example, Hawaii’s rainfall pattern is spectacularly diverse with annual means ranging from 204 mm (8 inches) near the summit of Mauna Kea to 10,271 mm (404 inches) near Big Bog on the windward slope of Haleakalā, Maui. Look at some of these local fungus in action on sports courts, greenhouse tables, and sidewalks.
To help combat the mold, mildew and algae that we have in Hawaii, I’ve spent time over the last year trialing FungiShield on several different surfaces.
What is FungiShield?
Where does FungiShield play into this? FungiShield eliminates the previously mentioned third necessity of ‘a place to adhere to’ by creating a long-term clear protective barrier against the adhesion of fungus: mold, mildew, and algae on almost any surface. FungiShield is a water-based solution that is applied as a milky-white substance and dries clear. It is resistant to weathering and U-V degradation, providing the maximum in barrier protection for 5+ years. Imagine not having to power-wash for five years!
Application
On average, one gallon of FungiShield will cover 200 to 300 square feet of surface area, depending on surface type and application method. This product can be applied by brush, roller, or spray and is dry to the touch in 1 to 2 hours. To provide even coverage, it is recommended that both roller and spray applications be followed by a brush. This is to avoid heavy coverage in one area, and little coverage in another, as seen in the pictures below. FungiShield did a fantastic job on this tennis court, where it was applied with good coverage. However, you can see the areas that were sprayed on the lighter side and not followed up with a good brushing for uniform coverage.
More Information
Please reach out to your Hawaiian Islands Sales Manager, Carin Prechtl, with any questions. If you would like additional information or are interested in learning more, please watch my recently recorded FungiShield Webinar. Mahalo!
