Alternaria molds are some of the most common outdoor molds during the summer and fall months. When they are present indoors, it's because they have been brought in on produce or in the air. If testing indicates a higher mold concentration indoors than outdoors, a mold problem is a concern. Once established, the mold will grow quickly over a period of about five days. It has a flat, downy or fuzzy appearance. Typically it is dark in color and may range from gray, brown or black. Preferring the … [Read more...]

Cladosporium is another mold that prefers the outdoors and is present in decaying plants. Usually, this mold will enter a home or building through open doors and windows. Porous, fibrous materials are the most likely places for Cladosporium to grow. Colonies may be found on wood products, carpets, wall and ceiling insulation, wallpaper, and other surfaces. Cladosporium has a range of darker colors from deep olive to black. The texture of the mold is more fuzzy and powdery than wet and … [Read more...]

Penicillium is a mold that most people know well. Obviously, Penicillium is the mold that makes the antibiotic Penicillin. However, as beneficial as the mold may be to medical science, it isn't desirable to have growing inside your home. Penicillium mold is typically a blue or bluish-green color. You've probably seen mold growing on old bread or fruit that had that coloration and it was likely Penicillium too. But, Penicillium can also grow in places in the home that are not intended to be so … [Read more...]

The active Mucor mold is usually white/beige or grey in color. The colonies grow and expand quickly. Colonies tend to change to grayish brown as they age due to spore development. When grown in a closed environment, it is thickly covered with small droplets of what appears to be water. Mucor mold is found throughout the world. And, like other molds is primarily responsible for breaking down decaying materials in the ecosystem. Fortunately, it's one of the less common mold species found … [Read more...]

Stachybotrys has the appearance of a greenish-black gelatin substance. Normally it has a slimy look because of its wet upper layer. If the water/moisture source feeding the mold disappears, the colony's appearance may change from slimy to dry and powdery. These molds need very moist environments to grow and thrive. If you see mold that fits the description of Stachybotrys, don't panic right away. There are other less hazardous molds that have a similar appearance. Only a mold expert with the … [Read more...]