Self-Analysis of Mold Plates

Q: What does self-analyzing mold plates mean?

Self-analyzing mold plates means visually inspecting your ImmunoLytics mold test plate after the incubation period and comparing the growth to our Normal, Concerning, or Hazardous health scale. This allows you to assess your indoor air or surface mold levels at home without waiting for laboratory results.

Q: How do I read my mold test plate results?

After incubation, hold your mold test plate under good lighting and compare the amount and color of mold growth to the ImmunoLytics health scale images. Match your plate's growth pattern to the Normal, Concerning, or Hazardous reference images to determine your result category.

Q: What do the Normal, Concerning, and Hazardous levels mean?

Normal indicates mold levels typical of a healthy indoor environment. Concerning indicates elevated mold growth that warrants attention and possible remediation. Hazardous indicates high mold levels that pose a health risk and require prompt action. These categories help you prioritize next steps.

Q: When should I send my plates to the lab instead of self-analyzing?

Send your plates to ImmunoLytics laboratory when you want genus-level mold identification, when results fall in the Concerning or Hazardous range, when you need documentation for insurance or remediation, or when a household member has health sensitivities and you need precise data.

Q: Can I add lab analysis after I have already self-analyzed my plates?

Yes. If you self-analyzed your plates and decide you want laboratory confirmation, you can still send them to ImmunoLytics for analysis as long as the plates have been kept sealed and refrigerated. Contact ImmunoLytics to arrange additional laboratory analysis.

Know if you need to send your sample plates to our lab.

Want laboratory analysis of your plates?

A visual inspection cannot replace laboratory identification. If your ImmunoLytics plates were purchased without analysis, additional mold laboratory analysis is $36 per sample and includes a report and consultation.

See analysis options Check what my order includes

If analysis is already included, follow the registration and return instructions supplied with your kit. Do not purchase it twice. If you are unsure whether an older or previously collected sample is suitable, contact the laboratory before ordering.

1. Instructions

2. Match Samples

self-analysis instructions

Step 1. Before you Start

Allow Mold to Grow

Seal, label, and place your samples in foil bags. Store them for 5-7 days in a warm (68 – 85ºF), dark place. If there is no mold growth yet, store them for another 7 or 8 days.

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Your Goal is to Count Colonies

Hold a mold plate up to a light and count the number of colonies (circles) growing on the agar. 0-4 is Normal. 5-8 is Concerning. 9+ is Hazardous. Both Concerning and Hazardous range should be sent in for lab analysis.

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Colony Size Doesn't Matter

Size of the colony is not important. Small or large, it’s still just 1.

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Always Check the Back of Plates

Always check the back of your plate. Colonies can be underneath other colonies.

Know when to get lab analysis.

Mold Levels Health Scale

0-4

Normal Mold Levels
Health likely unaffected and does not need lab analysis.

5-8

Concerning Mold Levels
Could be affecting health and needs lab analysis.

9+

Hazardous Mold Levels
Very likely affecting health and needs lab analysis.

Self-analysis examples

Step 2. Find Closest Match

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Tap Plates

To see outlines of each colony

b

Tap Labels

For additional information about analyzing each plate.

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Use FLIP Button

To view both sides of each plate.

FRONTS are shown - FLIP

A1 - Two Colonies

Plate A1 shows two mold colonies.

A2 - Too Numerous To Count (TNTC)

Plate A2 shows so many mold colonies that the plate would be labeled as Too Numerous To Count (TNTC). TNTC occurs anytime a plate has many colonies, for example greater than fifty colonies.

B1 - Five Colonies

In Scenario B, Plate B1 shows a plate with five mold colonies.

B2 - One Large Colony

Plate B2 shows one colony that covers the entire plate. This scenario demonstrates that colonies are counted regardless of whether they are the same size or not, the size of the colony does not matter.

C - Secondary Growth

Scenario C shows that sometimes not all the mold colonies on a plate are counted. When one colony is significantly larger than the rest only the large colony is counted, the rest of the colonies are secondary growth. Secondary growth colonies do not come from the environment that was tested, rather they grow off the original colony, hence secondary growth. Colonies are only counted as secondary growth if it is the same kind of mold as the larger colony (i.e., it looks the same). This plate has one colony. The colony has a red circle around it and the secondary growth has a blue circle around it.

D - Too Numerous To Count (TNTC)

Scenario D shows a plate that appears empty but is counted as Too Numerous To Count (TNTC), because the colonies are all smeared together along the edge of the plate. In this scenario the plate is labeled TNTC, because the colonies are indistinct.

E - Hidden Colonies

Scenario E shows a plate that looks like it only has one colony, but really has four colonies. This is because a fast-growing mold has covered the colonies beneath. The back of the plate reveals the actual number of colonies. Always look at the back of the plate, it is often easier to count the colonies from the back, and any colonies that are covered up will be visible.

F - Single Large Colony

In Scenario F, a plate that is completely covered in mold is counted as one colony, because the colony has a fast rate of growth. The backside of the plate also shows that there are no colonies growing beneath the colony visible from the front.

G - Too Numerous To Count (TNTC)

Scenario G shows a plate that is counted as Too Numerous To Count (TNTC) because the colonies are indistinguishable from each other.

H - Deceptive Line

In Scenario H, a plate that looks almost empty except for one line of mold. The line of mold, encircled with a black circle, would be counted as Too Numerous To Count (TNTC), because the colonies overlap and there is no clear distinction between where one colony ends, and another begins.