How to Test for Mold Spores
Humans and pets can greatly be affected by mold growing around the home. Many different mold types can create many different health problems. The level of danger that they pose for the people around it is great. Sometimes people cannot always see it with the naked eye and this is why homeowners should test for the mold spores.
How to Test for Mold Spores
Materials Needed
- Mold test kit
- Clear tape
- Open the mold test kit. Place the petri dishes on a table or any other flat surface. You will need to work on a flat surface.
- Cover the bottom of the dish with clear tape. The sticky side of the tape should face upwards in the bowl because this is where the mold spores will attach itself to it. Line as many dishes as you need for each area you want to test.
- Once the dish is lined with tape, place it in the rooms where there has been excessive moisture since this is where mold usually grows. Place them in the kitchen, bathroom, laundry room, or any of the bedrooms.
- Line two more bowls with the tape. Place one under an air vent and another under and air duct. These are also two places that attract mold.
- Allow each dish to sit for a complete 24-hour period before you remove them. Look at the dishes to see if you recognize any mold spores. Look over the tape to see if there are green, blue, black or red mold spores. The spores can also be fuzzy or slimy. Sometimes it is easy to mistake the spores for dust or dirt.
- If you are unable to identify the mold, send it to a lab for more information on the mold found in your home. The address for the lab and other instructions is in the mold test kit.