Last week, I received several calls from folks who had specific questions concerning their environment.

I thought you; the reading audience, would find some benefit from the questions and my responses.

Betty called and wanted to know if it would be beneficial for her to open her windows at night. She said her grandmother always told her to close the windows because of bad night vapors. I told Betty our grandparents used to close the windows at night because they thought the night air was unhealthy and actually was poisonous.

Night air is, if anything healthier than day air because is carries fewer dust particles, less pollution and generally less humidity. If it rains, the extra moisture will help pull the day dust from the air.

Plus, opening up your home to exterior air will help clean our contaminates that have built up during the day; e.g. cooking particles, humidity, rug dust fibers, etc.

The caveat to this is if you have a heating and air conditioning unit that cleans and dehumidifies the internal air of the home. If that is the case, please leave your windows closed. If you open them you will bring in outside contaminates into the home.

In my line of work I’m constantly dealing with five kingdoms that Aristotle defined almost 2,500 years ago. Those kingdoms are monera (bacteria and viruses), protista (photosynthesis), fungi (molds), plantae (photosynthesis), and animalia (human and animals).

To me there is very little difference between yard fungi and interior fungi. I’ve found under beds toadstools (mushrooms), armillaria (mushrooms) and even fairy rings. Homeowners are often shocked and dumfounded by the fact that these types of fungi can grow in a home. I always tell them, if the conditions are right, I can grow fungi in and on most everything.

Leona sent me an e-mail requesting information on lawn fairy rings. Below is my response to her.

Lawn fungus is and can be a real problem for those of us who like a great looking lawn. Fairy rings are a fungus that thrives on decomposed organic matter collected at the base of our grass and sometimes under our household beds. I’ve found a thorough aeration of the lawn will pull out the built up thatch and break up the fungi hyphae (tentacles). Using a high nitrogen fertilizer (21-0-0) will stimulate growth of the grass in about 7 to 10 days.

Note:  Frequent watering is necessary otherwise the high nitrogen will burn and kill your grass. For more information on this subject matter please contact our area Master Gardeners or a horticulturist.

When cleaning with any cleaning product, always wear eye protection and rubber gloves to protect your hands. If you would like to share a cleaning idea or concept with the reading audience, call Ed at NWES (255-2266), e-mail them to [email protected] or send them to Bonner County Daily Bee, 310 Church St., Sandpoint, ID 83864, Attn: What Would Ed do?  For more information about Ed, go online to www.nwees.com.

Copy written by Edmond E. Madan, certified indoor environmental professional, forensic, fire, flood, mold Inspection and remediation/restoration contractor. Ed is the president of Northwest Environmental Services, Inc.