Lawn mushrooms are the bane of gardeners everywhere; we usually refer to these unwanted pests as toadstools. Toadstools are really the same thing as mushrooms but are often poisonous.
These members of the fungus family pop up when we get a little moisture, so they are a common sight once rain appears, as it has been doing a lot lately. They are not harmful to the lawn if left alone, but people with pets and children may be concerned about these unwanted visitors being ingested, causing sickness or death – so for that reason, it may be advisable to rid your yard of them.
Tips for removing lawn mushrooms
These fungi thrive on decomposing plant matter, whether it’s old roots, sawdust, animal droppings, or a fallen log. They also thrive in dark, wet areas. Some of the suggested treatments involve these steps:
- Remove what they are feeding on, such as pet waste, a buildup of mulch or leaves, etc.
- Wearing gloves, carefully cut or remove the lawn mushrooms and put them into a plastic bag that you seal so that it cannot reproduce.
- Aerate or de-thatch your lawn.
- Add soapy water to the area where you have removed the lawn mushroom.
- Another option, perhaps not the best first choice, is to apply a fungicide.
Do wear gloves when handling them directly. Want more info? Here are a few articles to help:
Bob Villa: mushrooms in the lawn
Mushrooms and Other Nuisance Fungi in Lawns (University of California)
