Homeowners call us describing "black mold" or "green mold" based on what they see. Color is a starting point but not a reliable identifier — the same Aspergillus species can appear black, green, or white depending on growth conditions. Lab testing is the only way to confirm the species. Here is what you need to know about the most common mold types we find in Haines City and across Polk County.
Stachybotrys chartarum — true black mold
True black mold appears dark greenish-black and feels slimy when wet. It requires prolonged, sustained moisture to grow — typically more than 72 hours of water saturation on cellulosic materials (drywall paper, wood, cardboard). It grows slowly compared to other species. In Haines City homes, we find it most often after Hurricane Ian flooding, drain line leaks that went undetected for weeks, or roof leaks that saturated attic insulation over a long period.
Stachybotrys produces mycotoxins. These are toxic compounds that cause more serious health effects than typical mold allergens. Remediation requires complete material removal rather than surface treatment. Every Stachybotrys job at Famico gets the strictest containment protocol.
Aspergillus
Aspergillus is the most common mold we identify in Haines City home air samples. It appears in various colors — black, green, white, yellow — depending on the species. Aspergillus grows quickly and thrives in warm, humid environments. It is the mold identified in the Clearwater, FL kitchen job in the YouTube field walkthrough — the drain line drip created Aspergillus growth behind the cabinets within days.
Some Aspergillus species produce aflatoxins and other mycotoxins. Prolonged exposure causes respiratory irritation, allergic reactions, and in immunocompromised individuals, aspergillosis — a serious fungal lung infection. This is a particular concern in homes with elderly residents or children with compromised immune systems.
Cladosporium
Cladosporium appears dark green to black and is one of the most common outdoor molds worldwide. Indoors, it grows on wet drywall, bathroom grout, HVAC systems, and window sills. We find it most often inside Haines City HVAC systems and in bathroom tile grout. It does not produce mycotoxins but causes significant allergic reactions and respiratory irritation with prolonged exposure.
Penicillium
Penicillium appears blue-green and grows in cool, moist environments. It is particularly common inside HVAC air handlers, on water-damaged insulation, and on soft furnishings that got wet. Penicillium spreads quickly through spore release and can colonize new materials rapidly. It does not produce the same mycotoxins as Stachybotrys but causes respiratory symptoms and allergic reactions.
Chaetomium
Chaetomium grows specifically on water-damaged cellulosic materials — drywall, wood, paper. It appears white or gray with a cottony texture and produces a distinctive musty smell. It is common in Florida crawl spaces after flooding and in walls after sustained water damage. Some Chaetomium species produce mycotoxins. We commonly identify it in Polk County crawl spaces treated after Hurricane Ian.
Pink mold — Serratia marcescens
Pink or reddish growth on bathroom tiles, shower curtains, and toilet bowls is usually Serratia marcescens — a bacterium, not a true mold. It thrives in moist bathroom environments and is commonly mistaken for mold. It does not respond to standard mold treatment and requires different cleaning agents. If you have pink growth in your bathroom, it is likely bacteria rather than mold — but worth having a professional look if it recurs after cleaning.
For a professional mold species identification in your Haines City home, call (863) 260-9515 or see our mold testing service.