Does black mold exist in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan? Unfortunately, yes.
We’ve performed mold tests all over the U.P.—from lakeside homes in Manistique to historic houses in downtown Negaunee. While toxic black mold isn’t common, it does show up. Just last week, we found hidden black mold in the walls of a home in Alger County, and we’ve had clients in Marquette and Escanaba call us in after noticing unexplained health issues. I’ve even spoken with county building inspectors in the region who have had to condemn buildings for black mold.
So if you suspect black mold in your U.P. home, a mold assessment is definitely in order! But first, take a moment to read this blog, which covers all the basics you need to know about black mold in the home.
What Exactly is Black Mold (Stachybotrys chartarum)?
“Black mold” is the common term for Stachybotrys chartarum, a type of mold that grows readily in indoor environments under certain conditions. It is perhaps the best known type of mold because this mold species has captured public imagination as the most dangerous “toxic mold” out there—perhaps because it looks so scary!
However, it’s important to realize that black mold is only one of many types of household mold, any of which can cause health problems. In fact, according to WebMD, “there is no reason to believe that black mold is any more dangerous than other types of mold.”
Why is Mold Assessment Critical If You Think You Have Black Mold?
That said, black mold—or any mold—in your home is something to be concerned about. Nearly any type of mold can cause unpleasant and even dangerous health conditions when inhaled or ingested.
Black mold in particular is a very fast-growing mold. In under a week, it’s possible for a single spore to colonize an area of your home and spread several feet under ideal conditions.
Once mold is established in your home, an active colony will continue to generate spores that float around in the air you breathe and land on the food you eat. Mold exposure can cause many types of health problems, including but not limited to:
- Respiratory symptoms, including sneezing and asthma
- Headaches
- Fever
- Irritation of the mucous membranes such as eyes
- Chronic fatigue
- Nausea and vomiting
- Skin conditions such as rashes
It’s important to note that mold toxicity symptoms can look very different from one person to another and don’t always follow the same pattern. In fact, mold toxicity is a common cause of “mystery illness.”
Some people are more sensitive to the effects of mold exposure, often due to mold allergy. So even if just one person in your household is experiencing adverse health issues with no known cause, it’s worth having a mold assessment done to determine if black mold (or another type of mold) is causing the problem.
What Does Black Mold Look Like?
Black mold (Stachybotrys chartarum) looks exactly like how “toxic mold” might look in a Hollywood movie. It shows up as dark green to black, clustered or spotted clumps clinging to surfaces in your home—and once established, it spreads like mad. In its dormant form (where it has no source of moisture to help it grow), black mold may look dry and powdery.
3 Step Mold Assessment: How to Determine If Black Mold is Present
If you think you may have black mold in your house but can’t find the source, a mold assessment is critical so you can locate and get rid of it, if any is there. This simple 3-step protocol will help you determine if mold is an issue in your home:
1. Use your nose.
Black mold has an unmistakable “moldy” odor. If you smell this anywhere in your home, you know you have an issue. In humid zones like lake-adjacent Manistique or older homes in Ishpeming, musty smells are often your first clue—don’t ignore them.
2. Do a DIY visual mold assessment.
If you can actually see mold growing in your home, you know you have it! Mold needs moisture to survive and grow, and can live in temperatures between 40° to 100° F, so walk through and inspect your home with that in mind.
Black mold is commonly found in or near the following indoor areas:
- Near water sources in the home, such as around sinks, bathtubs, and toilets, or in bathroom and kitchen under-sink areas.
- Anywhere moisture condenses, such as window frames or ducts.
- Anywhere that has high humidity, like bathrooms or basements.
- Any area that has had a water leak or where flooding has occurred.
- Remember that mold thrives on any cellulose material such as wood, particle board, drywall, or fabric.
In homes across the Upper Peninsula—especially in older neighborhoods like Ishpeming’s downtown area or Escanaba’s near-downtown district—we often see mold thrive in unventilated basements, bathrooms, and under-sink cabinets.
3. Get a Professional Mold Assessment
Professional mold testing isn’t necessary if you already see visible mold. But you should schedule a professional mold assessment if:
- You suspect mold but haven’t found visual or olfactory signs
- You want to know the exact species and spore count you’re dealing with
- You need documentation for legal, health, or insurance reasons
- You’re purchasing a home in the U.P. and want to rule out black mold
Our mold assessment includes both a visual inspection by a Certified Master Inspector® and professional lab testing using independent, third-party labs. That means we have no financial interest in the results—we’re here solely to give you honest, data-driven answers.
Our tests analyze for 17 of the most common household molds, including Stachybotrys chartarum. You’ll receive lab-verified results detailing exactly how high your mold count is for each species.
Wondering if you really need a professional mold test after doing your own check? Our inspectors routinely find hidden problems even knowledgeable homeowners miss. We also help identify which structural features of your home might be fueling mold growth.
What To Do If Your Mold Assessment Shows You Have Black Mold
If your home tests positive for mold, don’t delay. Because Stachybotrys is so aggressive, you need to act quickly:
- Remove the water source enabling mold growth
- Discard or disinfect affected materials (drywall, carpeting, wood trim, etc.)
- Use a dehumidifier to reduce indoor humidity
- Consider a HEPA air filter to reduce mold spores and improve indoor air quality
If your mold infestation is extensive or you want expert help, we encourage you to call a professional mold remediation company. (That’s not us—as a third-party testing company, we don’t offer remediation to avoid any conflict of interest.)
Looking for a Mold Assessment Professional in the UP?
If you need a mold inspection in Marquette, Escanaba, Negaunee, Ishpeming, Manistique, or nearby towns, give us a call! We’re trusted across the region for independent mold testing and Certified Master-level expertise.
Call us at (906) 360-3879 or schedule your mold assessment here.
Rich Beasley leads U.P. Home Inspection, LLC as a Certified Master Inspector® with deep roots in Upper Peninsula construction needs. In 2025, Rich earned the prestigious CMI® designation from the Master Inspector Certification Board, reflecting our team’s dedication to experience, education, and the highest industry standards.
Editor’s Note (Updated August 2025):
This article has been lightly updated to reflect current inspection standards and include additional local references for our readers across the Upper Peninsula. The core guidance remains unchanged.
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Inside you’ll discover:
- Where mold hides in Upper Peninsula homes
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