There's gotta be a better way - cleaning caribbean ceilings.

Paint roller with extension pole works for both removing the surface cobwebs and whatever, then use dropcloths to protect floors/furniture (cheap at Home Depot) and use the same roller with a different sleeve for bleach solution application. Have fun!

Bleach isn't that effective, here's a site with that info. There are much better products.
Try this if you can find it: http://www.homedepot.com/p/Concrobium-32-oz-Mold-Control-025326/100654126?MERCH=REC-_-SearchPLPHorizontal1_rr-_-NA-_-100654126-_-N I used it on my boat canvas.

Here is the article: http://www.spore-tech.com/viewCategory.asp?idCategory=78

A friend with an all-white wood house swears by JOMAX...

https://www.rustoleum.com/product-catalog/consumer-brands/jomax/jomax-house-cleaner-and-mildew-killer

Thanks all. I tried the paint roller thing but those gnats need to be sort of scraped off. I wonder if that Jomax stuff can be used without bleach?

My house is an all white wood house too. Ugh. Beautiful, but a pain with these gnats!

VI Steam Team had some secret product that they demoed on my ceiling. It worked great but the service as very expensive. They would not disclose the product name.

... but those gnats need to be sort of scraped off.

A steam cleaner?

Vinegar kills mold. Maybe roll on vinegar then brush with the broom. Use a respirator. The vinegar Oder dissipates quickly and the residue inhibits new growth.

Add borax or baking soda to vinegar for a more effective mix.

Baking soda and vinegar?-just stand back when you mix those together or run for the mop.:D

No more effervescent than Alka Seltzer. 😀

It's the proportions that make the difference.

Of course. Size matters.

Hire a guy for $10 per hr. and let him clean the ceilings.
I use Clorox diluted with water, my guy cleans the ceilings, we cover furniture with the cheap plastic drop cloths or move to one side, roll up rugs, usually it's the outdoor deck ceilings that require cleanings from mildew, annually.

Good luck.

Along these lines,....Is there anything that can be done during construction such as a certain primer/paint or additive that helps prevent this?

Along these lines,....Is there anything that can be done during construction such as a certain primer/paint or additive that helps prevent this?

All kinds of stuff. many carried by HD. Read reviews carefully to see what best suits the particular purpose and is most recommended as there are so many options.

There is an additive for mold, Moldex or some similar name, it's comes in a envelope type package and is usually right on the paint store counter. I got it at Sherman Williams but Lisa's in Princess has it too. I have the store shake it into the paint. Avoid a flat finish paint and use either an eggshell or semi gloss depending on your taste. Use A good primer and seal all existing stains and knots with Kilz or Binz stain blocking primer. Lisa and Sherman Williams in Castle Coakley have the experience to give reliable advise.

Let me re-phrase that. Has anyone found a specific product or process to minimize this problem? Like bleach the plywood before you prime. 3 coats of stain blocking primer. Etc....

Seems like a common enough problem that the builders and/or pro painters might have a solution???

Can't remember now which product I used as it was several years ago but, as noted earlier, there are loads of products - and newer ones all the time - on the market so check HD and other websites and read reviews - as mentioned earlier.

I use 2 coats of Kilz on any renovation or new project. I usually get it tinted 1/4 of the final paint colour. This has eliminated a lot of mold mildew problems. It also helps seal the drywall seams and corners.

We also paint the outdoor ceilings (porches) light blue, like the sky. Bugs won't congregate.........old Gullah advice.

Quote: "We also paint the outdoor ceilings (porches) light blue, like the sky. Bugs won't congregate.........old Gullah advice."

Interesting!

Quote: "We also paint the outdoor ceilings (porches) light blue, like the sky. Bugs won't congregate.........old Gullah advice."

Interesting!

No paper wasps, mud daubers, gnats, etc. "They think that it's the sky and don't want to keep flying"

I painted the great room in my house a very light shade of sky blue also. in direct light it appears white but at other times you see the tint. NO spider webs in the corners and NO other bugs up there staring down at me!!

http://www.homedepot.com/p/Zinsser-1-gal-Mold-Killing-Primer-Case-of-2-276049/205009921
This is almost identical to the product I used on a renovation project which needed serious help to correct (and prevent future) water damage and mold. It did the trick.

I don't know that Kilz would really accomplish what you need as it it's only "mildew resistant" and ineffective where mold is concerned. Treeman, I'm guessing you're referencing renovations stateside (SC?) not here?

yes

SMART tree man!

Ugh just finished today. Can't feel my arms. Are there any pool supply places on STX that you can buy those long extendable poles? Only found 10ft ones at HD. Had to get the ladder out but it's done.

FWIW - our gnat problem is a result of using simi gloss paint... maybe it's gloss. The humidity by our house is really high and you can actually watch the water condensate on the ceiling and run down the walls. No joke. The gnats go for the water and get stuck. It's surreal. I mean millions of them. It's totally clean now and it'll need to be done again in about 3 months. The mold thing I usually only have to do once a year in all my rentals.

I had every singe intention of hiring someone but we just spent WAY too much money on our trip lol. I sweated at least a pound off today so there's the silver lining.