John Miller
Stinkhorn mushrooms are known for their pungent smell, which some compare to rotting meat or dung. They are neither poisonous nor harmful to your garden, but they can be a nuisance due to their strong odour and rapid growth. While they are beneficial to the ecosystem as decomposers, many people seek ways to remove them from their gardens. This can be challenging as no fungicides or chemicals are effective against them, and their spores can remain in the soil or mulch, leading to regrowth. However, there are some methods you can try to remove stinkhorn mushrooms and prevent their recurrence.
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What You'll Learn
- Remove decaying organic matter, e.g. sawdust, dead roots, stumps
- Dig out the mushroom's base, not just the above-ground portion
- Change the pH of the area by acidifying the soil
- Bleach or lime can be used to kill the mushrooms but will harm other plants
- Handpick stinkhorns in the egg stage and put them in a sealed bag
Remove decaying organic matter, e.g. sawdust, dead roots, stumps
Stinkhorn mushrooms are a type of fungus that breaks down organic matter, such as rotting wood and mulch, and turns it into nutrients that plants can use for nourishment. While they are beneficial to gardens, stinkhorn mushrooms are also known for their unpleasant odour, which can be likened to that of faeces, rotting meat, or a dead and decaying animal.
To remove stinkhorn mushrooms, one must remove decaying organic matter, such as sawdust, dead roots, and stumps. Stinkhorn mushrooms grow on rotting organic matter, so removing these materials will help to eliminate the food source that the mushrooms depend on to grow and spread. Here are some steps you can take to remove decaying organic matter and reduce the occurrence of stinkhorn mushrooms:
- Remove underground stumps, dead roots, and sawdust piles: These materials provide an ideal environment for stinkhorn mushrooms to grow. By eliminating these sources of decaying organic matter, you can reduce the likelihood of stinkhorn mushrooms appearing in your garden.
- Replace old hardwood mulch: Stinkhorn fungi can also grow on decomposing hardwood mulch. Consider replacing hardwood mulch with alternative materials such as pine needles, straw, or chopped leaves. Live groundcovers can also be used instead of mulch to reduce the occurrence of stinkhorn mushrooms.
- Reduce soil moisture: Stinkhorn mushrooms prefer moist areas and patches of ground covered in mulch. By reducing soil moisture and avoiding excessive watering, you can make the environment less favourable for stinkhorn mushrooms to thrive.
- Dig up the surrounding soil: Stinkhorn mushrooms can leave spores in the soil, even after removal. To prevent further growth, dig up the top layer of soil in a radius of about 6 inches (15 cm) around the removed mushroom. Place the excavated soil and any other fungal material into a sealed plastic bag for disposal.
- Remove "eggs": Stinkhorn mushrooms start out as "eggs"—white, egg-like structures in mulch or other damp, decomposing material. Removing these "eggs" before they mature into mushrooms can help reduce the spread of spores and the occurrence of stinkhorn mushrooms.
While these measures can help reduce the presence of stinkhorn mushrooms, it is important to note that completely eradicating them may be challenging. Stinkhorn fungi can be introduced to an area through various means, including insect carriers and organic materials containing fungal spores. Therefore, a combination of the above strategies may be necessary to effectively manage the growth of stinkhorn mushrooms in your garden.
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Dig out the mushroom's base, not just the above-ground portion
Stinkhorn mushrooms are a short-lived fungus that appears seasonally, usually for a few weeks, once or twice a year. They are neither poisonous nor harmful to your garden, but they produce a pungent, off-putting odour that can be described as putrid rotting meat or dung. The mushrooms grow on rotting organic matter, so to get rid of them, you must remove their food source. This means removing underground stumps, dead roots, sawdust, and decomposing hardwood mulch.
However, if you are not willing to wait for the stinkhorn mushrooms to go away on their own, you can try to remove them by digging out their base. Here is a step-by-step guide:
- Put on a pair of disposable latex gloves to avoid getting your hands dirty and smelly from the stinkhorn.
- Using a shovel or trowel, dig beneath the mushroom until you scoop out the egg-shaped base.
- Also, dig under any nearby round white egg-shaped growths, as these are new stinkhorns about to emerge.
- Secure the removed material in an airtight plastic bag and throw it away immediately.
- Remove the immediate soil, as there may be spores or undeveloped mushrooms in the surrounding area. Dig up a 6-inch radius around the removed mushroom.
- If the stinkhorn grew in tree bark, mulch, or other loose decaying plant material, remove this as well.
While this method can help remove the stinkhorn mushrooms, it may not eradicate the fungus completely. Stinkhorns have a network of fungal hyphae in the soil or mulch that will continue to produce new fruiting structures. Therefore, it is essential to address the underlying cause by removing the organic matter that serves as their food source.
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Change the pH of the area by acidifying the soil
Stinkhorn mushrooms are a type of fungus that can be found in many shapes and sizes. They are often characterised by their unpleasant, pungent odour, which can be reminiscent of rotting flesh or dung. While stinkhorns are not poisonous, they can cause allergy-related issues and attract insects, particularly flies.
To remove stinkhorn mushrooms, one method is to change the pH of the area by acidifying the soil. This involves making the environment uninhabitable for the mushrooms by altering the soil's acidity. Most mushrooms, including stinkhorns, prefer alkaline to neutral environments. By drastically acidifying the soil, you can discourage the growth of stinkhorns and create conditions that are unfavourable for their survival.
To acidify the soil, you will need to incorporate large quantities of sulphur or other acidifying amendments. This process of tilling in sulphur will significantly reduce the pH of the area. However, it is important to note that this method is considered a "nuclear option" as it will likely kill most of the surrounding vegetation and significantly impact the local ecology. If you choose to proceed with this method, exercise caution and be prepared for the potential loss of other plants and fungi in the vicinity.
While acidifying the soil can be effective in removing stinkhorn mushrooms, it is essential to understand that stinkhorns are beneficial to the soil. They contribute to the recycling of plant debris, improving soil fertility and providing nutrients that can be utilised by garden plants. Therefore, if you can tolerate their presence, it may be preferable to leave them undisturbed and appreciate their unique characteristics.
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Bleach or lime can be used to kill the mushrooms but will harm other plants
Bleach or lime can be used to kill stinkhorn mushrooms, but it will harm other plants and damage the soil. Bleach and lime will make the soil uninhabitable for the fungus, but it will also make it unhealthy for other plants.
Stinkhorn mushrooms are seasonal and don't last very long. They are often found in mulch, lawns, and areas with bare soil. They are saprophytic fungi, meaning they feed on decaying matter, which is why they are often found in mulch and soil. They contribute to the recycling of plant debris into nutrients that improve soil fertility. Given time, the mushrooms will go away on their own, but many people find the smell offensive and are not willing to wait.
To prevent stinkhorn mushrooms from growing, you can remove decaying organic matter, especially sawdust piles, dead roots, underground stumps, and hardwood chip mulch. You can also reduce soil moisture. However, these strategies are unlikely to completely eradicate stinkhorn fungi.
If you choose to use bleach to kill stinkhorn mushrooms, create a mixture of boiling hot water and bleach and pour it onto the fungus. If you prefer to use lime, spread it over the patch of soil that has been producing stinkhorn fungi using a shovel or trowel. Remember that using bleach or lime will harm other plants in the area and damage your soil.
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Handpick stinkhorns in the egg stage and put them in a sealed bag
Stinkhorn mushrooms are short-lived fungi that emerge from their underground egg stage very quickly, sometimes in a matter of minutes. They are neither poisonous nor harmful to your yard or garden, and they do not cause plant disease. In fact, they are beneficial for your soil as they contribute to the recycling of plant debris into nutrients that improve soil fertility. However, they produce a pungent, off-putting odour reminiscent of rotting flesh or dung, which can be unpleasant for many people.
To remove stinkhorn mushrooms, it is recommended to handpick them in their egg stage and put them in a sealed bag. Here is a step-by-step guide for this process:
- Identify the stinkhorn mushrooms in their egg stage: Stinkhorn mushrooms begin life as underground, egg-shaped structures about the size of a golf ball. They can appear in mulch, lawns, and areas with bare soil. The immature forms appear as whitish to pink or purple, egg-shaped masses.
- Handpick the stinkhorn mushrooms: Wear gloves to protect your hands from the foul smell and any potential allergens. Carefully dig out the egg-shaped structure from the soil or mulch, making sure to get the entire base. You may also dig under any nearby round white egg-shaped growths, as these are likely to be new stinkhorns about to emerge.
- Place the stinkhorns in a sealed bag: Secure the removed stinkhorns in a plastic bag, preferably a zipper freezer bag. This will contain the foul smell and prevent the spores from spreading.
- Dispose of the sealed bag: Throw the sealed bag containing the stinkhorn mushrooms into a trash bin. Do not open the bag again as this may release the spores and the odour. Wash your hands thoroughly after handling the stinkhorns, even if you wore gloves.
- Remove the immediate soil or mulch: Stinkhorn mushrooms can spread through their spores, so it is important to remove the surrounding soil or mulch to reduce the chances of new mushrooms growing. Dig up a layer of soil or mulch in a radius of about 6 inches (15 cm) around the removed stinkhorn.
- Replace the mulch: If the stinkhorn mushrooms were growing in mulch, consider replacing it with a different type of mulch or ground cover. Stinkhorns are often introduced into gardens through organic materials that contain microscopic fungal threads. Removing and replacing the mulch can help reduce the chances of new stinkhorns appearing.
While the above method can help remove stinkhorn mushrooms, it may not completely eradicate them. Stinkhorns can have a network of fungal hyphae in the soil or mulch that will continue to produce new fruiting structures. Additionally, their spores can be spread by flies and other insects that are attracted to the mushroom's slime. Therefore, it is important to act quickly when you spot stinkhorns in their egg stage and to regularly check your garden for any new growths.
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Frequently asked questions
Stinkhorn mushrooms are seasonal and short-lived, so you can simply wait for them to go away on their own. If you want to remove them, you can dig out the mushroom from its base, being sure to scoop out the egg-shaped base. Put the removed mushroom in a plastic bag and throw it away. You should also remove the immediate soil, as it may contain spores or undeveloped mushrooms.
Stinkhorn mushrooms grow on rotting organic matter, so removing organic matter such as mulch, sawdust piles, dead roots, and underground stumps can help reduce the number of stinkhorns that appear. You can also try to make the area inhospitable for mushrooms by changing the pH of the area. Most mushrooms prefer alkaline to neutral areas, so drastically acidifying the area with sulfur or another acidifying amendment will make the mushrooms go away.
There are no registered or safe chemicals or sprays that are effective at removing stinkhorn fungi. Using chemicals is not a recommended or practical control method and will likely harm other plants in the area.
