Background: Biofilms are communities of microcolonies of bacteria or fungi and exopolymeric matrix. They render the cells refractory to antibiotics and also shield them from the immune system. There are many methods to detect biofilms in vivo and in vitro.  Aim: To collate available information about bacterial and fungal biofilms. Objectives: To search available information from scientific literature. Material: Thorough literature search using MeSH ( Medical subject headings) terms. Result: Many methods are documented for detecting bacterial and fungal biofilms. Biofilm progression is via many stages and many methods are three to control biofilm formation. Conclusion: Biofilms render microbes drug resistant and efforts should be made to prevent and control their formation. Biofilms are communities of microcolonies of bacteria or fungi and exopolymeric matrix. They render the cells refractory to antibiotics and also shield them from the immune system. There are many methods to detect biofilms in vivo and in vitro.