Emma Wilson
Puffball mushrooms are a common sight in grasslands, pastures, lawns, and deciduous woods. They are usually harmless, but some species are poisonous and can cause allergic reactions or illnesses if ingested or if their spores are inhaled. While they are not considered a pest, some people may want to get rid of them due to their unsightly appearance, foul smell, or potential health risks. Total eradication of puffball mushrooms is challenging due to their ability to spread through spores, but several methods can be employed to limit their growth and remove them from lawns.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Appearance | Spherical or pear-shaped; creamy white when young, turning yellow as they mature, with green or purple spores |
| Size | Up to 80 cm in diameter and weighing several kilograms |
| Habitat | Grasslands, pastures, lawns, deciduous woods, and shady areas with poor grass growth |
| Life Cycle | Spores are released and spread by wind to new locations; spores germinate and send out hyphae, which support the fruiting body and decompose organic matter |
| Conditions for Growth | Moist conditions, prolonged periods of wetness, and an abundance of organic material |
| Toxicity | Some species are poisonous, with hard rinds, thick skin, and dark insides even when young; spores can cause allergic reactions, asthma attacks, allergic fungal sinusitis, and Lycoperdonosis (a lung disease) |
| Edibility | Some species are edible and used in soups, stocks, noodles, and breading; avoid eating unidentified puffballs |
| Removal | Dig up or rake fruiting bodies and roots; control the amount of organic material in the lawn by removing leaf debris, stumps, and roots |
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What You'll Learn
Dig them up
Although puffball mushrooms are generally harmless and even beneficial to the ecosystem of your outdoor space, you may want to get rid of them if you have pets or children who might accidentally ingest them. While it is difficult to completely eradicate puffball fungi, you can limit their appearance by digging up the fruiting bodies and roots as soon as you spot them.
To dig up puffball mushrooms, start by breaking off or removing any clusters of mushrooms by hand. Place the mushrooms in a closed trash bag or container to prevent the potential spreading of spores. Next, dig up the mushroom root mass (white mycelia growing through the mulch). You can use a screwdriver to punch holes in the soil around the mushrooms and then dig them up. Make sure to bag the roots and seal the bag as well, to prevent the spread of spores.
To kill any remaining root mass, you can mix one tablespoon of soap with one gallon of water and spray this mixture over the mulch. Alternatively, you can use a broad-spectrum fungus killer or fungicide, available as a pump spray or an attachment for your garden hose. However, fungicides may negatively impact your grass, so it is important to read the directions carefully and only use the product as instructed. If you have pets or children, opt for a pet-friendly fungicide made with natural materials.
In addition to digging up the mushrooms, you can prevent the growth of puffballs by reducing the amount of organic matter in your lawn. Puffball mushrooms grow on decaying organic matter, so removing leaf debris, dead leaves, tree stumps, and tree roots can help to control their growth. You can also aerate your lawn to improve drainage and reduce moisture levels, making the environment less suitable for puffball mushrooms.
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Rake them out
Although puffball mushrooms are not considered a pest species and are harmless, you may want to get rid of them if you find them unsightly or are worried about the potential dangers they pose to children and pets. If this is the case, one way to get rid of puffball mushrooms is to rake them out.
Raking out puffball mushrooms is a simple and effective method of removal. It is best to act as soon as you notice the mushrooms, as they can spread quickly. The spores of the puffball mushroom are released through a small hole in the top of the body and are then carried by the wind to new locations. These spores will then germinate and send out hyphae, which are long filaments or strands that support the fruiting body of the fungus. The strands also help to decompose organic matter in the lawn, providing nourishment for the mushrooms. Therefore, it is important to rake out the puffball mushrooms before the spores are released.
When raking out puffball mushrooms, it is important to wear protective gear, such as gloves and a mask, to avoid any potential health risks associated with the spores. Use a rake with a firm grip and sharp tines to effectively remove the mushrooms from the ground. Start from the outer edge of the affected area and work your way towards the centre, raking in a gentle and controlled manner to avoid damaging the surrounding grass. Be thorough and ensure that all the mushrooms and their roots are removed, as any leftover fragments can regrow.
After raking, dispose of the mushrooms properly by placing them in a sealed bag and throwing them into a bin. Do not compost them, as the spores can still be active and may spread to other areas. It is also important to note that raking out the puffball mushrooms may not completely eradicate them, as the fungi can survive in the soil for years and produce new fruiting bodies when conditions are favourable. However, regular raking can help to control their growth and prevent their spread.
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Control organic material in your lawn
Although puffball mushrooms are not considered a pest species and won't kill your grass, you may want to control their growth in your lawn due to their unsightly appearance, foul smell, or potential toxicity.
Puffball mushrooms thrive in moist conditions, typically appearing towards the end of summer or after heavy rainfall. They grow on decaying organic matter, so they are usually found in areas of the lawn that are high in organic material. To limit the appearance of puffballs, it is necessary to control the amount of organic material in your lawn. Here are some steps you can take:
- Remove leaf debris: Fallen leaves can provide a source of organic matter for the mushrooms to feed on. Rake and remove leaves regularly to deny the mushrooms their food source.
- Eliminate old stumps and roots: Old tree stumps and roots can decay and provide organic material for the mushrooms. Dig up and remove any old stumps or roots in your lawn to reduce the organic matter available for puffball growth.
- Dig up fruiting bodies: When you see puffball mushrooms, dig them up to prevent them from releasing spores and spreading further. You can also rake them out. While this may not lead to total eradication, it can help control their spread.
- Improve drainage: Puffball mushrooms favour moist conditions, so improving the drainage in your lawn can make it less hospitable for their growth. Consider aerating your lawn or installing drainage systems if water tends to pool in certain areas.
- Maintain a healthy lawn: A thick, healthy lawn can compete with puffball mushrooms for resources and prevent them from taking over. Ensure you are providing adequate water, sunlight, and nutrients to promote grass growth and reduce the space available for mushrooms.
By following these steps, you can reduce the amount of organic material in your lawn that puffball mushrooms feed on, thereby controlling their growth and spread. While it may not be possible to eradicate them completely, these measures will help keep your lawn looking neat and safe for children and pets.
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Identify poisonous puffballs
Puffball mushrooms are a fantastic wild edible but they have several deadly look-alikes. The best way to identify a puffball mushroom is to cut the mushroom in half from the top of the cap to the bottom. The inside of edible puffball mushrooms should be solid and pure white, like a marshmallow, or fresh mozzarella balls. They are also shaped similar to pears in some cases and spheres in others. They only grow to about an inch in diameter, so they stay pretty small.
Puffball mushrooms fall into a number of genera, most of which are small, at roughly 3” and below. However, there is one giant puffball (Calvatia gigantea) that can grow up to one foot in diameter and is edible. The giant puffball is the easiest to identify and has a mild flavor and a familiar texture. It can be cooked and added to many types of dishes.
The poisonous ones will typically have a hard rind, thick skin, and dark insides even when they are young. Smaller puffballs can share some characteristics of poisonous mushrooms in the Amanita family. Slicing into the “button” or “egg” reveals the gilled mushroom in miniature inside, as opposed to pure white flesh (common puffball). The Amanita genus is responsible for most fatal foraging accidents caused by fungi.
True puffballs do not have a visible stalk or stem, while stalked puffballs do have a stalk that supports the gleba. None of the stalked puffballs are edible as they are tough and woody mushrooms.
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Prevent spore inhalation
Puffball mushrooms are not considered a pest, and you don't need to get rid of them. However, some people dislike the way they look, and some types are poisonous. If you are allergic, inhaling the spores of a puffball mushroom can cause an allergic reaction or an asthma attack. In rare cases, inhaling a large amount of spores can lead to lycoperdonosis, causing breathing trouble, fever, and pulmonary damage.
To prevent spore inhalation, avoid breaking, mowing, or stepping on the puffball mushrooms, as this can cause them to release spores. Instead, wear gloves and carefully dig up any puffball mushrooms you find. Dispose of them in a closed trash bag or container to prevent potential spreading. Avoid composting the mushrooms, as this will encourage further growth.
You can also prevent the growth of puffball mushrooms by removing decaying organic matter from your yard, such as dead leaves, tree stumps, and roots. Overwatering your lawn can also lead to the growth of puffballs, so adjust your watering habits and ensure the ground is dry before watering again.
If you want to get rid of puffball mushrooms completely, you can use a fungicide. However, this may negatively impact your grass. Alternatively, you can mix one part baking soda with ten parts water in a spray bottle and spray it directly onto the mushrooms. The alkaline environment created by the sodium bicarbonate will dehydrate and kill the mushrooms. Repeat the process a few days later to ensure no spores are left behind.
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Frequently asked questions
Poisonous puffball mushrooms typically have a hard rind, thick skin, and dark insides even when they are young. Some puffball mushrooms are completely edible, but there are some types that are poisonous.
Breathing in the spores of a puffball mushroom can cause an allergic reaction or asthma attack. There is also the potential for allergic fungal sinusitis, which is an inflammation of the sinuses as a reaction to the fungus.
While it is difficult to totally eradicate puffball fungi, you can limit their appearance by digging up the mushrooms, fruiting bodies, and roots as you see them. You can also control the amount of organic material in your lawn by cleaning away leaf debris and removing old stumps and roots.
Puffball mushrooms were originally used to make ink in Tibet. They are also popular to eat as long as they have been identified as edible and not poisonous.
