Especially in the summer months, mould is a major threat to the integrity of wooden packaging. Here's how you can defend yourself. For those dealing with wooden pallets, mould is a serious problem, especially in the summer months. When the weather warms up, mould becomes an even worse problem for pallet suppliers and manufacturers. To prevent this threat, it is necessary to consider the chemical solutions available, the type of storage and other measures that can reduce the growth of mould. Proper treatment of pallet lumber and storage conditions can go a long way towards reducing this risk.

Prevention: 4 factors to act on

oxygen: it is in the air all around us and cannot be eliminated

Food: Wood provides nutrients for mould growth.

Water: Wood can be dried out, but it can develop mould more easily if it gets moisture.

the right temperature: mould can grow at temperatures as low as 32 degrees, and growth is accelerated in the 66-90 degree range.

A good control programme involves a combination of strategies that aim to eliminate or reduce one or more of these requirements.

Experts agree that the key to controlling or preventing mould growth on wood is the moisture content, which must remain below 20 per cent so that mould and fungus spores do not develop.

One solution is to soak the wood in a fungicide. This is not the ultimate remedy, but it does buy time to prevent mould on pallets until the wood is dry. Fungicides are effective in prevention, but they do not work as well if mould already exists on the wood before it is treated.

Tips for preventing mould on wood

There is no single solution to preventing mould at all, but many small steps that reduce the likelihood of this threat occurring on timber or pallets.

For example:

keep timber and pallets away from any source of mould spores, such as rotting wood.

Simple good cleaning practices can reduce the presence of mould spores in the air.

use freshly sawn timber that has not been stored for a long period of time. The longer timber is stored, the greater the risk of it developing mould.

One of the most important strategies is to improve the air flow to help the wood dry. This should take place throughout the process, from the sawmill to the production and storage of finished pallets. Improving air flow and speeding up the drying process can help prevent mould.

So you can try to implement procedures to improve wood drying, such as storing timber and pallets in well-ventilated areas. Trailers should be unloaded quickly and wood should be stored with consideration given to spacing and layout to maximise airflow. If pallets or material are stored in a warehouse, use fans to generate airflow and make sure the building is dry. Slight but constant air movement can also help prevent mould.