Humidity

• Mold might be suspected if simple tests show relative humidity of 60 percent or higher.
  
  

Samples of Material

• Physical samples of drywall, flooring, wood or insulation containing suspected mold are collected and sent to a lab for analysis. Specific species of mold can be determined through this method. This method may require some destruction in order to gather specimens.
  
  

Swab

• A cotton swab swiped over the mold then sent to a lab to be cultured and identified is less invasive. This method does not work well on porous or dry surfaces.
  
  

Tape

• Simple household tape can be used to collect suspected mold, and then sent to a microbiology lab for analysis.
  
  

Bioaerosol

• Air samples taken over three to five minutes with a high volume aerosol device and a prepared petri dish may show airborne spores. This type of test can analyze more than one species of mold.
  
  

Spore Trap

• Another mold test for airborne spores also tests for pollen and insect parts.