Frequently Asked Questions

Here are some common questions we get: feel free to send us a message directly and we will be happy to expand upon or answer anything else.

Mold
Species
Technology
New Users
Does mold species matter for cleaning or remediation methods?

No. The same fundamental steps apply to removing mold, regardless of species. There is no difference in remediation strategies for one mold species versus another, so determining whether mold is "species A" or "species B" generally does not change what you do next.

How does the InstaScope help if it doesn’t identify mold species?

Instead of breaking down individual species, the InstaScope delivers a "whole-area bioaerosol assessment." You can scan multiple rooms quickly to see in real time where particle concentrations differ. This can guide mitigation efforts right away — without waiting for slow or complex lab work.

Is identifying mold species useful for most projects?

Typically, no. Whether you are dealing with one mold type or another, the approach — investigate the problem, clean or remove growth, and remedy the underlying moisture issue — remains the same. Even if you're just comparing mold samples between indoor and outdoor molds, species-level detail often adds more confusion than clarity.

When would someone actually need to know the specific species?

Knowing mold species is mainly beneficial if a doctor or health professional diagnoses a disease connected to a particular mold species, or if there is a legal/medical reason to pinpoint that species indoors. In these particular cases — where a specific mold is known to be a factor — identifying species makes sense because you are trying to match a likely source to a species you already know exists and is a problem.

Why doesn’t the InstaScope identify mold species?

The InstaScope is designed to quickly assess bioaerosols in real time, across entire interior spaces, without isolating specific mold types. Knowing the exact species does not change the remediation process or the steps to resolve mold problems. Every type of mold growth should be removed, regardless of species.

Why isn't comparing mold species found inside versus outdoors always useful?

While some professionals compare indoor to outdoor mold, distinguishing between indoor and outdoor mold species often proves less helpful than it would seem. Outdoor conditions fluctuate, so seeing Mold A inside but not outside doesn’t necessarily mean much (Mold A might have been outside yesterday but not today when you took the sample). There are just too many variables for a single outdoor baseline sample to produce unambiguous results and actionable insights.