Does Moss Wall Art Attract Bugs or Mold? The Truth Explained

One of the most common concerns about moss wall art is whether it might attract insects, pests, or mold. Because moss naturally grows in outdoor environments, people often assume it could bring unwanted issues indoors.

In reality, properly preserved moss wall art does not attract bugs or grow mold when installed and cared for correctly.

Why Preserved Moss Does Not Attract Bugs

Insects are attracted to:

• Moisture

• Organic decay

• Living plant material

Preserved moss wall art has none of these conditions.

During preservation:

• All moisture is removed and replaced

• Biological activity stops

• The moss no longer provides food or habitat for insects

As a result, bugs have no reason to be attracted to preserved moss.

Our Experience at WabiMoss

We have sold thousands of moss artwork, and I can only think of one time that a customer had fruit flies attracted to the artwork. In that case, it was a resturant, and the artwork was near the kitchen. We just sprayed the artwork with insecticide, which dried quickly and didnt affect how the moss looked or felt in any way— and the flies stopped landing on the artowrk. Usually there are easy fixes to anything regarding moss artwork.

Can Moss Wall Art Grow Mold?

No — mold requires moisture and organic decay to grow.

Preserved moss:

• Is completely dry to the touch

• Does not hold free moisture

• Does not decompose

As long as moss wall art is kept in a normal indoor environment (not sprayed with water or exposed to leaks), mold growth is extremely unlikely. We can only remember one time where a customer expressed mold was growning on their artwork. Luckily, problems like this are easy to solve, and we directed them to spray mold killer spray on the artwork. It dried quickly- and did not change how the artwork looked or felt, but the mold stopped growing (the spray is not harmful to people)…

Situations to Avoid

While moss wall art is very stable, certain conditions should be avoided:

• Spraying or misting the moss with water

• Installing in areas with constant direct water exposure

• Placing in extremely dry environments for long periods

These situations do not cause bugs or mold but may affect texture or longevity.

What About Bathrooms and Humid Rooms?

Preserved moss can tolerate normal household humidity, including bathrooms, as long as:

• The space is well ventilated

• The moss is not in direct contact with water

Humidity alone does not cause mold in preserved moss. In fact, we have many customers who have installed the artwork in their bathrooms with great results. In our own house, we have one of our moss artworks installed in our bathroom, and it looks great after many years.

How to Keep Moss Wall Art Problem-Free

Simple guidelines:

• Do not water or mist

• Keep indoors only

• Avoid direct sunlight

• Maintain normal indoor humidity levels

Following these guidelines ensures moss wall art remains clean, safe, and beautiful for years.

FAQs

Can bugs live in moss wall art?
No. Preserved moss does not provide food or moisture for insects.

Will moss wall art mold over time?
No, provided it is not exposed to water.

What happens if moss gets wet?
Excess moisture can damage texture but does not create a pest problem.

Recommended Reading:
For a full overview of moss wall art care and safety, visit our moss wall art guide — click here. You may also find it helpful to read about proper moss wall art maintenance — click here — and whether moss wall art is safe for indoor environments — click here.