John Miller
Mushrooms are a common household problem, often growing in damp, shaded areas. They can be dangerous if ingested and may indicate a mould problem. To kill mushrooms, you must address the entire mushroom network, removing the visible mushrooms and destroying the spores and mycelium network. This can be done by physical removal, chemical agents, temperature and UV light, or by altering the pH of the environment.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Temperature | Above 140°F |
| Light | UV light |
| Chemicals | Bleach, hydrogen peroxide, vinegar, baking soda, dish soap, borate-based fungus killer, fungicides |
| Physical removal | Manually removing mushroom bodies, mowing or raking over the mushrooms, cutting them off with a box cutter, putty knife or similar |
| Nitrogen Fertilizer | 1 pound (453.59 grams) of nitrogen for every 1,000 square feet of lawn |
| Phosphorous and Potassium | 3 parts nitrogen, 1 part phosphorous, and 2 parts potassium |
| Soapy Water | 2-3 tablespoons of dish soap with 2 gallons of water |
| Bleach Solution | 1 part bleach to 3 parts warm water |
| Oxalic Acid | Mix with water to form a paste |
| White Vinegar | 1 part vinegar to 4 parts water |
| Baking Soda | Dissolve 2 tablespoons of baking soda in a gallon of water |
| Dish Soap | Mix 1-2 tablespoons of dish soap into 3 gallons of water |
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What You'll Learn
Bleach and other chemical agents
Bleach is a common disinfectant that can be used to kill mushrooms. It destroys spore cell walls through oxidation. To use bleach to kill mushrooms, create a mixture of one part bleach to three parts warm water and apply it to the area where the mushrooms grow. Then, scrub the surface with a sponge or cloth. It is important to wear a mask and ensure the area is well-ventilated when using bleach. However, it is worth noting that bleach has a high surface tension and may not penetrate porous surfaces such as wood, so the spores inside may not be effectively killed.
Other chemical agents that can be used to kill mushrooms include hydrogen peroxide, vinegar, baking soda, and dish soap. Hydrogen peroxide oxidizes organic material, disrupting spore integrity. Horticultural vinegar specifically alters the pH of the environment, creating conditions that are unfavourable for spore growth. Baking soda also alters the pH of the environment, making it inhospitable for spores, while dish soap helps penetrate and break down spore membranes.
Commercial fungicides are another chemical approach to killing mushrooms. These target surface growth but may not address the root causes, such as poor soil health or underlying issues with porous surfaces. Therefore, while fungicides can be effective in the short term, they may not provide a comprehensive long-term solution.
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High temperatures and UV light
Mushrooms typically grow in dark locations that receive little to no sunlight. However, exposing them to UV light during growth can have a significant impact on their mechanical properties. While UV-C light from the sun is blocked by the ozone layer, UV-A and UV-B light can reach the earth's surface.
Oyster mushrooms were studied under irradiation with UV-A (365 nm) and UV-C (254 nm) light during growth. The exposure time ranged from 10 minutes to 60 minutes, with irradiation lasting for three days. The results showed a notable difference in the storage modulus, loss modulus, and loss factor of the irradiated samples compared to the control samples. As the temperature increased from 35 to 100°C, the UV-C light-irradiated samples exhibited a higher loss modulus and factor but a lower storage modulus.
High temperatures can negatively impact mushrooms, causing dehydration and affecting their texture and flavour. The heat can also encourage the growth of harmful bacteria and fungi, which can spoil the mushrooms. Additionally, it can cause the substrate to dry out quickly, leading to a poor mushroom yield. To maintain optimal temperatures, mushroom growers can use heating pads, cooling fans, insulation, and temperature sensors.
While UV light is not commonly mentioned as a method to kill mushrooms, it can have detrimental effects on their cells, potentially causing DNA mutations. Direct exposure to strong UV light intended for sanitization or sterilization can be damaging. However, some people use UV wands to sanitize humidifiers, which can indirectly expose mushrooms to UV light without causing harm.
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Natural bacteria and fungi
Fungi are also known to naturally inhibit mushroom spore viability. Mycoparasitic fungi, such as Trichoderma, secrete enzymes and toxins that inhibit spore development. Trichoderma species are often used in agricultural settings to suppress pathogenic fungi. Introducing competitive fungi to soil or compost can help in naturally reducing mushroom spore viability.
Additionally, certain animals are known to feed on fungi. Many terrestrial gastropod mollusks, such as slugs, are known to feed on fungi, including slime molds and mushrooms. Slugs exhibit selectivity toward certain parts or developmental stages of the fungi they eat. In 2008, a species of ant from the rainforests of Southeast Asia, Euprenolepis procera, was found to have a diet consisting almost entirely of mushrooms.
Fungi are also known to form an important part of the diet of some birds, such as the southern cassowary (Casuarius casuarius) of Australia. Emus (Dromaius novaehollandiae) and brush turkeys (Alectura lathami) will also eat certain types of fungi if offered.
It is important to note that fungi have defenses against microbial competitors and animal predators. For example, the concentration of amatoxins in the mushroom Amanita phalloides is highest in the fruiting body, exerting toxicity toward arthropods. Additionally, the fungal genus Trichoderma produces enzymes such as chitinases, which degrade the cell walls of other fungi.
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Nitrogen and other fertilizers
Mushrooms can be a nuisance, especially if you have children or pets, and if they are toxic. To get rid of mushrooms, you can use nitrogen and other fertilizers.
Nitrogen fertilizer can be used to deter mushrooms from growing in organic matter. The fertilizer will quicken the decomposition of the matter, leaving the mushrooms with nothing to feed off of. It is recommended to use 1 pound (453.59 grams) of nitrogen for every 1,000 square feet of lawn. Do not use slow-release or water-soluble nitrogen fertilizer. You will need to do this annually. You can also add some phosphorus and potassium to the fertilizer. For this, you will need 3 parts nitrogen, 1 part phosphorus, and 2 parts potassium.
Fertilizers with high nitrogen content can be worked into the soil where the mushroom caps were growing to kill the roots. This will make your yard less hospitable to mushroom growth.
Other fertilizers can also be used to make the soil inhospitable to fungi. For example, lime can be used to raise the soil's pH level. While this will not kill the mushrooms, it can slow and eliminate the fungus when used with other lawn chemicals. However, be careful when applying lime, as many landscape plants prefer acidic soils and may be adversely affected.
In addition to fertilizers, there are other ways to prevent mushrooms from growing in your yard. You can improve drainage, reduce shaded areas, clear your lawn of organic matter, mow at the correct height, dethatch, aerate, increase sunlight, and adjust your watering practices.
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Removing moisture
Mushrooms require moisture, a food source, oxygen, and a cool temperature to grow. They are most likely to sprout in early spring when the ground is wet and the air is cool. If you see mushrooms in your house during the summer, it could be a sign that you are overwatering.
To prevent mushrooms from growing in your house, you should reduce the frequency and length of watering. If you have a drainage problem, correct it by digging drains. Trimming back overhanging branches to bring sunlight to the areas where mushrooms are growing can also help.
If the mushrooms are growing in the bathroom, check your toilet to make sure it is well attached and sealed to the floor. If it is not, water from the toilet could be running onto or under the floor, creating a water source for mushrooms to grow. Replacing the seal around the toilet could solve the issue. Keep the bathroom floor as dry as possible by avoiding laying wet towels on it. Dry off from the shower while standing on a mat instead of directly on the floor. Running a fan in the room can also help to keep things dry.
If you have mushrooms growing from floorboards, exposed framing, or indoor surfaces, there is likely also mould present. When you have eliminated the moisture problem, the mould will go dormant, as will the mycelium. It is important to physically remove the mushrooms and mould.
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Frequently asked questions
Mushrooms need moisture and shade to grow. To kill mushrooms, you can try the following:
- Physically remove the mushrooms by cutting them off as close to the growing surface as possible. Place the mushrooms in a bag and throw them away.
- Apply a mixture of one part bleach to three parts warm water to the area where the mushrooms grow.
- Spray them with a commercial fungicide.
- Mix 4 parts water with 1 part horticultural vinegar in a spray bottle. Mist the area for 5 days to prevent regrowth.
- Dissolve 2 tablespoons of baking soda in a gallon of water. Aerate the soil around the mushrooms and pour the solution over and around the area.
Temperatures above 140°F kill mushrooms.
A vinegar solution can be used to kill mushrooms. Mix 1 part vinegar with 4 parts water and spray the solution onto the mushrooms.
Mushrooms grow in moist areas. To prevent mushrooms from growing, keep areas of your house dry. If mushrooms are growing in your bathroom, check your toilet to ensure it is well attached and sealed to the floor.
To kill mushrooms in your lawn, you can mow or rake over the mushrooms. Apply a nitrogen fertilizer to deter mushrooms from growing.
