What is White Fungus?
White fungus in your yard is a harmless, non-pathogenic fungus that commonly appears on outdoor woodwork and buildings. It often forms when tree bark is exposed to the elements and becomes wet. When it rains, white fungus grows from the wood by absorbing moisture from the air. It typically appears as a white, powdery coating on the wood, but it can also range from cream to green. The bad news is that white fungus is unsightly, not to mention the damage it can cause to wood surfaces. The good news is that it can be removed easily with a little effort or professional help.
Ways How to Get Rid of White Fungus in Your Yard
Remove the source of moisture
The only way to get rid of white powder on grass is to remove or reduce the amount of moisture it can absorb. The best way to do this is by eliminating any water sources or excess moisture in and around your home. You should mow your lawn regularly to prevent excess moisture from settling on your property. Keep gutters clean and repair leaks in downspouts, roofs, basements, and crawl spaces. If you have a pond or fountain, make sure it has a drainage system that removes excess water. You should also remove loose bark from trees and shrubs.
Start a fungicide treatment
The white powder on grass may not be visible or have begun to grow, but it will still damage wood surfaces. The white fungus in your yard may have already started appearing on door frames, porch steps, siding, and other places. To treat the area with a fungicide, you must begin treating it immediately. Most experts recommend using a bleach solution as soon as possible, followed by a fungicide depending on the type of fungi that started to form. It will kill the already present fungi and prevent future growth.
Use a bleach
You may not be able to see the white fungus in your yard, but it will still be growing and feeding on your wood. It is essential to remove this fungus quickly before the problem becomes more severe. A bleach solution will disinfect and kill any fungi that have already started to grow. Always wear rubber gloves when using bleach solutions to avoid splashing it on your skin and contaminating your clothes or skin. Wear rubber gloves and a face mask as well. Ensure that children, pets, and other living creatures are not in your workplace.
Use an acid treatment
Several acids can be used in an acid solution to treat white fungus in your yard. Lemon juice or white vinegar will work well together to eliminate the fungus so that it won’t return. Some experts also recommend mixing a solution of household bleach and some household ammonia in equal parts. They recommend using a 1-to-1 ratio so the bleach won’t burn your skin, but the ammonia will kill the spores.
Mix bleach and vinegar
White powder on grass in your yard can increase, especially when it rains. To prevent the fungus from damaging your doors, patio furniture, and any other parts of your home that may be exposed to moisture, you should frequently treat the affected areas with a bleach and vinegar solution. Use 1 part bleach to 3 parts vinegar in a spray bottle to disinfect and kill the white fungus in your yard. They work together to kill the white powder on grass and prevent it from returning. It would help if you used this mixture to spray your doors, patio furniture, decks, and other exposed home parts.
Kill white fungus in the lawn
White powder on grass is not only an issue where your home is but also in your yard. If you have a lawn, you should regularly spray the grass and plants around your house with a bleach solution to kill the fungus. You should always wear rubber gloves when using bleach solutions to avoid drinking it or accidentally touching it. To prevent the fungus from growing again, use a fungicide applied to the same areas every other year. It will kill any white fungus in your yard that has already developed and prevent it from returning.
Avoid lime-based products
Lime-based products will encourage fungus growth, but bleach products will kill white fungus in your yard. Many experts recommend avoiding lime fertilizers and pesticides whenever possible because they contribute to a buildup of excess moisture around your home that white fungus can feed on. If the water cannot escape, it will seep into other areas of your home and cause damage to doors and decks. It can also weaken your home’s structure, causing it to become vulnerable to further injury.
Causes of White Fungus in your Yard
Excessive moisture
When trees are exposed to moisture for prolonged periods, the white fungus will begin to grow on the surface of the bark. The white fungus in your yard can be challenging to see because it does not have a green or grey appearance. You will only know if you have white powder on grass if you start noticing areas with a powdery coating on your wood structures. The best way to prevent this issue is by cutting trees back and removing dead wood to allow them to breathe and let moisture escape.
Standing water
Standing water can cause white powder on the grass to grow in your yard’s trees, shrubs, and other plants. If you are concerned about excessive moisture, you should make sure that the drains around your property are operating correctly. The most common spots for standing water to collect are near the gutters and downspouts in your home. It would help if you kept the area around your swimming pool free of debris and leaves.
Fungal spores
Fungal spores are microscopic, tiny particles that come from fungi. Some of these spores can be airborne, so even if you don’t see the fungus, you may have it in your lawn and plants. Fungal spores can also be transported from the yard to other areas of your home on pets, shoes, and clothing. To prevent this problem, you should disinfect any areas that the fungus may have touched with a bleach solution.
Humidity
Humidity can create an environment that allows the white fungus in your yard to grow. Most homeowners have noticed the white powder on grass more in their yards during summer because there is usually a higher humidity than in winter. Ensure that your home has a ventilation system like air conditioning units and attic fans to prevent excess moisture. These systems will move air into and out of your home so steam can escape and avoid any white fungus in your yard from growing. Trimming plants around your home would be best to eliminate excess water near the trees or plants.
Improper ventilation
Improper ventilation can also lead to white powder on grass growing in your home. The most common area where problems with ventilation occur is on the first floor, where there are many windows with blinds or curtains. Wind from outside comes into the house and creates enough moisture for white powder on the grass to grow. It is also essential to keep your home’s vents open to allow for proper air circulation. Nothing exhausts a house like increased humidity, especially in the summer when the heat can get intense. Once you notice white powder on grass growing on surfaces in your home, you should immediately start using a fungicide spray regularly. It will help prevent other areas from being infested.
Tips on How to Prevent White Fungus in your Yard
Examine your trees
Examining your trees periodically is an excellent way to prevent white powder on grass. If you see any discoloration or other damaged areas, you should have a tree service trim away from the location. Even if the tree doesn’t appear to be severely damaged, you should still have professionals look at it and ensure that it is strong enough to handle additional stress. If they don’t feel that the tree can take more pressure, they will cut off branches and remove dead wood so that moisture can escape quickly.
Spray your trees
Another thing you can do to prevent white powder on grass is to spray it off your trees. To treat the fungus, you should make sure that you use a bleach solution and regularly apply the answer to your trees, such as once a month or more, depending on the severity of the damage. They will help remove any sticky mold that may have begun to grow on the tree’s bark, but remember that bleach is exceptionally toxic, so be careful around this solution.
Make sure that deadwood is removed
Deadwood makes growing white powder on grass easier because it will absorb moisture into the tree’s center. Deadwood can also make your trees more susceptible to other issues such as rot, termites, and decay. You should regularly cut dead wood from your tree so that moisture can escape and any fungal growth will not have other places to feed. If you have a tree service cut your trees, ask them to remove any dead wood to prevent any extra moisture from being trapped there.
Use fungicides on your plants
Using fungicides on your plants is an excellent way to prevent white powder on grass. It would be best if you had some fungicide for white fungus on hand to treat the mold as soon as you see it develop. Fungicides need to be used regularly, so you should check with your local nursery to ensure they have what you need for your area. You should also apply fungicides to the plants around your home in moist areas, such as near ponds or other water sources.
Inspect and test your gutters
It is essential to prevent white powder on grass from growing in your gutters because it can cause structural damage to your home. Inspect your gutters regularly to ensure that everything is in good repair and that there are no holes. If you notice any problems with your channels, get them repaired immediately before moisture and fungus can grow there.
Keep your lint traps clean
Your dryer’s lint trap is a good place for mold to grow because it is dark and damp. That’s why you should keep them clean, so they don’t get filled with moisture and fungal spores. If your lint trap starts to get filled with mold, you should replace the plastic tray or throw away the entire lid. You can also use an air purifier on the back of the dryer to remove moisture while it dries your clothes.
Vacuum regularly
The white powder on grass can spread to carpets, especially if they are dark in color and absorbent. Vacuuming is an excellent way to prevent the fungus from spreading because it will reduce excess moisture that may attract white fungus. If you have stubborn mold and mildew issues, use bleach on a wet vacuum first and then run it over the problem areas. To remove the bleach residue, use baking soda and water in your vacuum cleaner before using them again.
Inspect your appliances
It is a good idea to check your appliances frequently to ensure they are not damaged or catch moisture. If you spot any problem areas, you should immediately have them repaired or replaced to prevent them from causing problems with white fungus. A professional appliance repair service can help you identify appliance problems and repair or replace them before white fungus in your yard develops.
Avoid over-watering your plants
Over-watering your plants can cause a lot of damage in a short amount of time. When it gets warm outside, and the sun is shining, the water may evaporate, but it will still be moist. If you have excess moisture around your plants, it will encourage white fungus to grow because of the warm temperatures. Make sure your plants are watered with only enough water for the time you need them to be alive and working.
Conclusion
White fungus in your yard is an incredibly harmful organism. It causes damage to many things, like humans, pets, and even buildings. The white fungus can cause damage to your trees; on the other hand, it can also be found in all your plants around the home. You should pay close attention to any areas that are damaged and have professionals take a look at them so that you can prevent any more damage.
