How to Get Rid Of Mushrooms — the Helpful Guide You Need

How to Get Rid Of Mushrooms — the Helpful Guide You NeedThere's fungus among us. Mix high humidity with periods of rainfall, and mushrooms pop up.

According to the NC State Extension Service, "When you see mushrooms blooming in your yard, it's because fungi that have been living underground all along are responding to changes in temperature, light and water. Under the right conditions (typically warm and moist), the fungi obtain nutrients that allow them to grow and prepare for reproduction."

While mushrooms aren't likely to kill your grass, their above-ground presence and potential for harm if ingested have homeowners asking, "How do I get rid of mushrooms in my lawn?"
Key Takeaways:

Understanding Lawn Mushrooms

Fungi perform best when water and organic matter are abundant. Often, the mushrooms we see are just the above-ground fruiting structures of a much larger fungal organism living below ground.

Mushrooms feed on some of the following:

Mushrooms help break these materials down. The mycelia, the network of fungi underground, feed on decomposing organic matter. So, while mushrooms might not look the best, the underground fungus provides some benefits — mainly, they break down organic matter and create food for other plants.

Are mushrooms dangerous?

Scientists estimate the fungal kingdom holds millions of species, but we've only identified 14,000. Pretty wild. Even the experts admit there is a lot we don't know about fungi, but we do know some common types. (And we also know this: never eat a mushroom growing in your lawn).

If you have pets or children, get rid of mushrooms immediately.

Some species are toxic and, despite therapy, may be lethal to pets if ingested. Often, a pet may experience gastrointestinal (GI) upset that resolves itself. Either way, seek medical attention immediately if a pet or child eats a mushroom on your lawn.

Let's take a look at some of the common mushroom types.

 Field mushrooms (Agaricus campestris):  Widespread, white, flat-topped, wild mushrooms often grow in grassy areas and are generally less toxic. It's best not to eat any mushrooms growing on your lawn. Field mushrooms look like "The Destroying Angel (Amanita bisporigera)" mushrooms, so only an expert can determine any mushroom's safety.

 Shaggy mane mushrooms (Coprinus comatus):  Shaggy manes grow in lawns with high organic content.

 Death cap mushrooms (Amanita phalloides):  Death cap mushrooms claim 95 percent of mushroom poisoning fatalities. This mushroom is highly dangerous and can be found in lawns. It  should be removed and disposed of by a professional.

Why Mushrooms Appear in Your Lawn

Figuring out why mushrooms are present helps you stop them at the source. The mushroom is the culmination of a multi-year process, a final gasp of a complex underground community that needs particular conditions to thrive — and those conditions are likely being met in your yard.

Though the presence of mushrooms isn't always an indicator of anything wrong, moisture is the single most common factor in mushroom growth. So, if you constantly have mushrooms cropping up, your lawn may be getting too much water. You'll likely see mushrooms grow if you water more than an inch a week or if your lawn has areas that puddle after rainfall.

 Decaying organic matter 

Fungi dine on dead organic matter: leaves, grass clippings, and old tree roots. If you have decaying material, mushrooms are likely to show up to lend a hand. In some cases, they might even be dining on the remnants of old landscaping projects, such as buried construction debris or sawdust.

 Extended periods of shade 

Mushrooms like to grow where there is no sun. If you have  shaded parts of your lawn where the sun never reaches certain areas, fungi may use the lack of light to breed. Without sunlight and with dampness, your lawn might be experiencing the perfect growth conditions.

 Heavy rainfall 

Heavy rainstorms can dampen your lawn, making for a good mushroom-growing environment. Even lawns with good drainage can face mushrooms with periods of prolonged rain, which can also cause a temporary mushroom boom.

What are the Benefits of Lawn Mushrooms?

Mushrooms break down organic matter that makes nutrients more available to your grass. Fungi play a role in the natural process of decomposing organic debris and recycling nutrients such as nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium back into the soil.

Their presence can indicate healthy biological activity in the soil, and they will often disappear on their own when conditions change — for example, when the weather is too dry or cold to support their growth.

How to Get Rid of Mushrooms?

If you choose to banish the mushrooms, there are several manual ways to get rid of them from your lawn that don't involve chemicals and are safe for families and pets.

 Hand-Picking Mushrooms 

The surest way to remove mushrooms is by hand-picking. Wear gloves to minimize the risk of contamination, especially if you are dealing with species that may be poisonous. As you pull the mushrooms, try to remove as much of the cap and stalk as possible at the base of the mushroom. This is easiest to do when you remove the mushrooms early before the spores are released.

 Using a Spade to Remove Mushrooms 

If the fruiting body is larger or has roots that reach down to the soil, use a small spade or garden trowel to dig around the base of the mushroom. Then, remove as much of the root structure as you can. Dispose of the mushrooms in a plastic bag and seal them so as not to spread spores. Make sure not to leave any bits behind.

 Proper Disposal Techniques 

Don't add mushrooms to your compost or garden waste bin, as this will spread the spores further about your yard. Put them in a plastic bag, tie it up tightly, and put it in the trash. That way, you won't encourage future mushrooms.

Natural Remedies to Eliminate Mushrooms

Nothing keeps mushrooms at bay better than proper lawn care and watering. Natural remedies are generally safe for your lawn and pets, but test them in a small patch first to ensure your grass is not harmed.

For those who wish to avoid chemicals, various home remedies can help remove mushrooms on the surface, though not the underground fungal network. Regardless of your solution, keep these application tips in mind: spray your solution early in the morning or late in the evening so less water evaporates and the solution spends more time on the soil.

Repeat the application every few days until you notice a reduction in mushroom growth.

Dish Soap and Water Solution

The simplest homemade fungicide is dish soap and water: put a drop or two of dish soap into a spray bottle full of water and spray directly into the spot where you plucked the mushrooms.

Vinegar Spray as a Natural Fungicide

A natural solution is to use an acidic fungicide, namely vinegar. Mix one part vinegar with four parts water, transfer it to a spray bottle, and apply it to the infected area, particularly as a spot treatment where mushrooms are persistent. Once again, be cautious, as vinegar will injure grass and other plants if applied too heavily.

Take Care of Your Lawn to Prevent Mushrooms

The most effective way to keep mushrooms out of your lawn is prevention. There are steps you can take to improve the overall health of your lawn and reduce the factors that cause fungal proliferation.

Aerating your lawn by perforating the soil with small holes increases drainage and decreases moisture retention. The purpose of aeration is to allow air, water, and nutrients to penetrate deeper into the soil. Aeration helps break up compacted soil and can improve drainage so your lawn doesn't stay as damp, which is the preferred condition for growing mushrooms.

It's also important to water well. Too much water leads to mushrooms. The reason? Mushrooms grow when the soil has the right amount of moisture.. Watering your lawn less often and in the early morning (when grass dries out during the day) will help prevent mushrooms, as will watering your lawn no more than once a week (including rainfall).

Stay on top of your lawn's moisture to ensure you aren't over-watering. Use a rain gauge or soil moisture meter to track how much water reaches your lawn. Adjust your watering schedule according to the season and weather conditions so your lawn does not get a consistently damp environment.

Shade reduction and organic matter removal also help prevent mushrooms. Keep trees pruned. Dethatch when necessary. These steps help keep fungal levels healthy — and below the surface.

When to Use Chemical Fungicides

While manual removal and natural remedies work well for many people, there are times when you might need chemical fungicides. Consult a professional if required. Sometimes, a fungal outbreak goes beyond what a homeowner can do without more serious measures.

If your lawn is infected with a widespread fungal infection, like fairy ring disease, chemical fungicides can be the best treatment option. In these cases, a targeted fungicide can help eradicate or stop the fungus from spreading.

Chemical fungicides are excellent at killing mushrooms and their underlying fungi. Still, they can kill beneficial soil organisms that sustain a healthy lawn ecosystem, and they're toxic to pets, wildlife, and people if applied improperly.

Quick Summary

Mushrooms crop up on lawns quite often, especially during the humid, rainy periods that encourage fungal growth. The good news is that the fungi under your grass are not usually a cause for concern – they won't harm your lawn. The bad news is that some mushroom species are toxic, so if you have pets or kids, you might be understandably worried about what might happen if they eat one.

Mushrooms feed on decaying plant matter: old roots, thatch, buried debris – turning it into a type of compost, and recycling nutrients back into the soil. 

You can reduce mushroom growth by eliminating the conditions that encourage their presence. Overwatered lawns, poor drainage, decaying organic matter, long periods of shade, and excessive rainfall can all create an environment for mushrooms to thrive. Reducing your lawn's moisture levels and improving lawn drainage will go a long way toward preventing mushrooms.

If you prefer to eradicate mushrooms manually, hand-picking is the most effective if you're dealing with a small colony; otherwise, try using a small spade to dig out larger mushrooms. For more serious fungal problems, chemical fungicides might be needed, but they can be risky because they can harm beneficial soil life as well as pets and people. The best way to deter mushrooms and keep a lawn healthy is to practice good lawn care such as aeration and careful watering.