Emily Johnson
Mushrooms are the fruiting bodies of a hidden, microscopic organism called mycelium. While mushrooms can be beneficial to a lawn, they can also be a nuisance, especially if they are toxic. Simply plucking mushrooms will not kill them, as the mycelium, or underground network of fungus threads, will continue to live on. To effectively kill mushroom mycelium, one can employ various methods, including physical removal, chemical agents, temperature extremes, and natural approaches.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Preventative Measures | Improve sun exposure, fix poorly draining spots, clean garden debris, and trim growth to let more sunlight in |
| Physical Removal | Wear gloves, pluck and remove mushrooms, mist the soil where the base of the mushroom was, use a high-nitrogen fertilizer, aerate the ground |
| Chemical Agents | Bleach, hydrogen peroxide, vinegar, baking soda, dish soap, borates |
| Temperature | High temperatures above 140°F, low humidity |
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What You'll Learn
Use high temperatures
High temperatures can be effective in killing mushroom mycelium. The ideal temperature and duration of treatment may vary depending on the type of mycelium and the material it is growing on. For instance, certain materials may necessitate elevated temperatures or extended treatment durations to accomplish complete sterilisation.
Cubensis mycelium, for instance, undergoes thermal death at around 106°F (41°C). If exposed to temperatures above 86°F (30°C) for an extended period, it will eventually die. Similarly, temperatures exceeding 86°F (30°C) for several hours can kill mushroom mycelium.
To effectively kill the mycelium and prevent further growth, you can preheat your oven to approximately 100°C (212°F) and bake the affected item for 45 minutes. This method will also help dry out the material, creating a sturdy final product.
It is important to note that high temperatures can also negatively impact the quality of the substrate or growing medium. Excessive heat can cause the substrate to dry out rapidly, leading to a poor mushroom yield. Additionally, high temperatures can encourage the growth of unwanted microorganisms, which can compete with mycelium for nutrients. Therefore, when attempting to kill mycelium with high temperatures, it is crucial to consider the potential impact on the surrounding environment and take appropriate precautions.
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Bleach, hydrogen peroxide, vinegar, baking soda, and dish soap
Bleach
A common disinfectant, bleach destroys spore cell walls through oxidation. To use bleach to kill mushroom mycelium, create a 10% bleach solution and soak tools and equipment in it for 10 minutes to sterilize them. You can also dispose of infected plant material in sealed plastic bags to prevent spore spread.
Hydrogen Peroxide
Hydrogen peroxide is an organic chemical that oxidizes organic material, disrupting spore integrity. Mix equal parts hydrogen peroxide and water in a spray bottle and spritz it onto the roots of your plants or the soil. This will kill the mycelium by decomposing its vital components, such as DNA and essential proteins.
Vinegar
Vinegar, specifically horticultural vinegar, changes the pH of the environment, killing spores. Mix 4 parts water with 1 part horticultural vinegar in a spray bottle. Mist the soil where mushrooms have emerged for 5 days to prevent regrowth.
Baking Soda
Baking soda creates an inhospitable environment for mushroom mycelium by raising the soil pH. Dissolve 2 tablespoons of baking soda in a gallon of water. Aerate the soil around the mushrooms and pour the solution over the area, allowing it to drain freely.
Dish Soap
Dish soap helps penetrate and break down spore membranes. Mix 1-2 tablespoons of dish soap with 3 gallons of water. Poke holes in the soil around the mushrooms and pour the soapy water over them, ensuring the soil is well-aerated for proper drainage.
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Reduce humidity
Mushrooms thrive in moist environments, and humidity plays a crucial role in their growth, from the early mycelium stage to the fruiting stage. To prevent and eliminate mushroom growth, reducing humidity is essential. Here are some detailed, direct, and instructive tips to reduce humidity and hinder mushroom mycelium growth:
Improve Air Circulation
Fans are an effective way to control humidity by circulating air and reducing the risk of condensation. Place a fan in the affected area to distribute moisture more evenly, preventing moisture buildup and reducing the chances of mushroom growth.
Use Air Conditioners or Evaporative Coolers
Air conditioners and evaporative coolers are cooling systems that can help regulate temperature and humidity. By lowering the temperature, you can also reduce humidity. These systems are particularly useful when growing mushrooms indoors, where proper insulation is necessary to maintain a stable temperature and humidity level.
Misting and Water Management
While mushrooms require moisture, excessive water can reduce humidity levels. Misting the soil around mushroom growth can help regulate moisture levels and prevent excessive humidity. Additionally, methods like reverse osmosis can reduce total dissolved solids in water, helping to manage overall humidity levels.
Sun Exposure
Increasing sun exposure in affected areas can help reduce humidity by encouraging evaporation. This method is particularly useful for outdoor spaces like lawns, where sunlight can naturally dry the ground and reduce the chances of mushroom growth.
Fertilizer Application
Applying a high-nitrogen fertilizer to the affected areas can help reduce humidity by disrupting the mycelium. Nitrogen-rich fertilizers accelerate the decomposition of organic matter, depriving the mycelium of its food source and hindering its growth.
Remember, reducing humidity is just one aspect of preventing and eliminating mushroom mycelium growth. Combining these humidity reduction techniques with other methods, such as physical removal of mushrooms, using soap and water, or applying bleach solutions, can provide a more comprehensive approach to managing unwanted mushroom growth.
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Aerate the ground and add high-nitrogen fertiliser
Mushrooms are the fruiting body of a hidden, microscopic organism called a mycelium. Mycelia are hardy and can grow very large. They often excrete an odourless, yellow liquid called exudate, which is a natural part of their growth and metabolism.
Aerating the ground and adding high-nitrogen fertiliser is an effective way to kill mushroom mycelium. This method works by disrupting the mycelium and breaking up the fibrous, root-like structures that mushrooms sprout from. Aeration also helps prevent mushrooms from sitting in a stale, moist environment, as they thrive in damp conditions.
To aerate the ground, you can use a lawn aerator, which will pull out plugs of earth, helping to loosen the soil and let more air in. You can purchase an aerator from a home improvement or hardware store. Core aeration can also help with drainage, further disrupting the conditions in which mycelium thrive.
After aerating the ground, you can work a high-nitrogen fertiliser into the soil. This will hasten the decomposition of the organic matter on which the mycelium feeds, turning it into fuel for your lawn instead. It is important to use a fast-release fertiliser mixture, rather than a time-release one.
By aerating the ground and adding high-nitrogen fertiliser, you can effectively kill mushroom mycelium and prevent mushrooms from sprouting in unwanted places.
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Pluck and remove mushrooms
Plucking and removing mushrooms is a simple yet effective way to get rid of unwanted fungi. However, it is important to note that simply plucking mushrooms does not kill them, as they are often much larger beneath the surface of the soil, similar to an iceberg. Therefore, it is crucial to act quickly and remove the mushrooms as soon as the caps appear above the ground.
When removing mushrooms, it is recommended to wear gloves, preferably latex or gardening gloves, to protect your hands from potentially poisonous spores. Pull each mushroom cap out of the ground by hand, being careful not to damage the delicate mycelium below. Place the mushrooms in a plastic bag or directly into a trash can to prevent the spores from spreading.
To further discourage mushroom growth, you can add a few drops of dish soap and water to the stems of the mushrooms before disposal. Alternatively, you can mist the soil where the mushrooms were growing for five days or use a fertilizer high in nitrogen to disrupt the mycelium and prevent regrowth.
Additionally, it is important to address the underlying conditions that promote mushroom growth. Mushrooms thrive in moist and shady environments, so improving sun exposure and eliminating sources of moisture can help prevent future mushroom infestations. Removing decaying elements, such as decomposing wood chips, small branches, and pet waste, will also make your lawn less hospitable to mushrooms.
While plucking and removing mushrooms is a straightforward approach, it may not be sufficient for large or established mycelial networks. In such cases, combining this method with other techniques, such as aerating the soil or applying specific treatments, may be necessary to effectively kill the mushroom mycelium.
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Frequently asked questions
To kill mushroom mycelium in your lawn, you can apply a nitrogen fertilizer to deter mushrooms from growing in organic matter. The fertilizer will quicken the decomposition of the matter, which will leave the mushrooms nothing to feed off of.
To prevent mushroom mycelium from growing indoors, you can treat the area with a borate-based fungicide. Unlike bleach, borates will penetrate porous surfaces and kill spores deep within.
Some natural ways to kill mushroom mycelium include using high temperatures, UV light, or vinegar. High temperatures above 140°F and UV light from the sun effectively destroy mushroom spores by breaking down their structure. Horticultural vinegar changes the pH of the environment, killing spores.
To prevent mushroom mycelium from growing, you can make your yard less hospitable to fungi. This can be done by eliminating sources of moisture, improving sun exposure, and removing grass clippings or other dead plant matter.
