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Home and Garden
Gardening
Garden Pests and Weeds
How to Kill Mushrooms Download Article Co-authored by Andrew Carberry, MPH
Last Updated: August 16, 2025 Fact Checked
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Removing Mushrooms
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Altering the Environment
|
Managing Fairy Rings
|
FAQ
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Video
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Tips
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Warnings
|
Things You'll Need
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This article was co-authored by Andrew Carberry, MPH. Andrew Carberry is a Food Systems Expert and the Senior Program Associate at the Wallace Center at Winrock International in Little Rock, Arkansas. He has worked in food systems since 2008 and has experience working on farm-to-school projects, food safety programs, and working with local and state coalitions in Arkansas. He is a graduate of the College of William and Mary and holds a Masters degree in public health and nutrition from the University of Tennessee. There are 10 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page. This article has been fact-checked, ensuring the accuracy of any cited facts and confirming the authority of its sources. This article has been viewed 1,062,962 times.
Most mushrooms are beneficial to lawns, because they help break down dead material and return nutrients to the soil. They can, however, be a nuisance and can be a source of concern if you have children or pets, especially if they are toxic species. Simply plucking mushrooms does not kill them, however; like an iceberg, the mushroom is often much larger beneath the surface of the soil. You must attack the entire mushroom like a hydra if you want to kill it. This article will show you how.
Steps
Method 1 Method 1 of 3:
Removing Mushrooms
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1 Remove the mushrooms from the ground as soon as you see the caps appear. If you leave them for too long, they will release spores, which will lead to more mushrooms. When you see mushrooms appear, simply pull them out of the ground.
You can also try mowing or raking over the mushrooms, but this will heighten the chances of them spreading spores across your lawn.
2 Dispose of the mushrooms properly. Do not toss them into your compost pile. Instead, keep a plastic bag with you, and put them into the bag as soon as you pull them out of the ground. Once the bag is full, tie the bag up tightly, and toss it into a trashcan or incinerator. This will help prevent the mushrooms from spreading spores across your lawn.[1]XResearch source Advertisement
3 Apply a nitrogen fertilizer to deter mushrooms from growing in organic matter. The fertilizer will quicken the decomposition of the matter, which will leave the mushrooms nothing to feed off of. Plan on using 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.
Consider adding some phosphorous and potassium as well. You will need 3 parts nitrogen, 1 part phosphorous, and 2 parts potassium.[2]X Trustworthy Source Missouri Botanical GardenOldest botanical garden in the U.S. and center for botanical research and science education Go to source
4 Use soap and water to kill off the mushrooms. Mix 2 to 3 tablespoons (29.6 to 44.4 ml) of dish soap with 2 gallons (7.57 liters) of water. Poke holes into the soil around the mushrooms using a shovel, trowel, or screwdriver. Fill the holes with the soapy water.
5 Take care with potted plants. Potted plants are often subject to mushrooms and other types of fungi. They are often subject to over-watering, and stay indoors, where the air is warm and still. This is a perfect environment for mushrooms. Here are some simple ways to keep your potted plants mushroom-free:[3]XResearch source
Pluck mushrooms as soon as you see them appear, and toss them in the trash immediately.
Provide ample air circulation by keeping the plant near a window or fan.
Avoid over-watering. Let the soil become dry at the top before watering.
Use a watering bulb to keep the soil deep inside the pot moist, and the upper layer dry.
Want tips on how to get rid of mushrooms in your yard? Check out wikiHow's "Mushrooms are taking over my yard! How do I get rid of them?" forum!
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Altering the Environment
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1 Make sure that your lawn has proper drainage. Mushrooms love damp and humid places. If your lawn holds too much water, you will need to make sure that it drains properly. Here are some ideas on how you can introduce proper drainage to your lawn:[4]XResearch source
If water is flowing down a slope, build up soil to redirect excess water to a more desirable location.
Add a pond or water garden to catch excess water. They are easy to maintain and can act as a decorative feature to your garden.
Place rain barrels beneath waterspouts to collect excess water during storms. This will prevent the water from soaking into your lawn.
Consider adding an underground drain, such as a French drain (an underground ditch filled with gravel) to help disperse water and prevent it from becoming stagnant.
2 Make sure that your lawn has well-drained soil. If your garden has a clay base, the water will have nowhere to go once it soaks through your lawn. It will sit and become stagnant. If you can, try mixing some sand or other well-draining material into your lawn to help disperse the water better.
When watering your lawn, try to water it in the morning instead of at night. The sun will help the excess water evaporate instead of sit and become a breeding ground for mushrooms.
3 Trim down tree branches to minimize shade. Cut close to the trunk, just beyond the bark ridge. Do not leave any stubs. Angle the cut downward, so that rainwater does not collect in the hole and cause rot.
Keep your trees fungus free by trimming out any dead or diseased branches.[5]XResearch source
4 De-thatch the lawn to minimize shade and create more air circulation.[6]XResearch source
Manually go over the lawn with a convex rake.
Use a power rake. You can rent it from some hardware or home improvement stores. Once you are done power raking your lawn, you will need to use a regular rake to sweep up the debris.
If you have cool-season grasses, de-thatch the lawn between late summer and early fall.
If you have warm-season grasses, de-thatch in late spring.
5 Make sure that there is enough air circulation by aerating your lawn. Not enough air circulation will lead to moisture being trapped—and where there is excess moisture, there will be mushrooms. Get an aerator from a home improvement or hardware store, and go over your lawn with it. The aerator will pull out plugs of earth out of your lawn. This will help loosen the soil and let more air in.[7]XResearch source
Consider aerating the ground with an aerator to prevent the mushrooms from sitting in a stale, moist environment.
6 Eliminate decaying elements that enhance the growth of mushrooms. Remove decomposing wood chips and small branches, a favorite of many mushrooms. Also keep your lawn clear of pet waste and any other decomposing matter the mushrooms could feed off. Keep grass clippings off your lawn by raking them up after mowing, or by attaching a grass catcher to your mower. Clean up pet waste. Have tree stumps ground and removed.
Advertisement Method 3 Method 3 of 3:
Managing Fairy Rings
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1 Locate the fairy ring. A fairy ring is a ring of mushrooms growing in grass. They're usually easy to spot, but sometimes the mushroom caps are not visible. In these cases, the fairy ring will appear as a ring of dark green grass. In some cases, the ring will appear as a circle of dead grass.[8]X Trustworthy Source Missouri Botanical GardenOldest botanical garden in the U.S. and center for botanical research and science education Go to source
2 Determine how deep the fairy ring goes. Get a trowel, shovel, or screwdriver, and prove the soil around the mushrooms. You may notice some white, fibrous stuff in the soil. This is known as the fungal mat. Depending on how thick it is, you will need to employ different methods of eradicating the ring.
3 Use a lawn aerator on fairy rings if the fungal mat is fewer than 3 inches (7.62 centimeters) thick. Start aerating 24 inches (60.96 centimeters) outside the outer rim of the ring, and work your way inward towards the center.[9]XResearch source
4 Dig out fairy rings if the fungus mat is deeper than 3 inches (7.62 centimeters). Get a shovel, and dig out the soil containing the mushrooms. Go about 12 inches (30.48 centimeters) deep. Once you have dug out the mushrooms, you will need to expand the ring you just dug by 12 to 18 inches (30.48 to 45.72 centimeters) to either side. 24 inches (60.96 centimeters) would be better. Some experts advise digging all the way to the center of the ring.
As you dig, try to determine the cause of the fairy ring. Look for rotting wood, construction debris, or anything that could keep water from draining. Remove any of these causes as you go.
5 Discard the mushrooms and contaminated soil. To avoid spreading the mushroom spores all over your garden, toss everything into a large garbage bag. Tie the bag up tightly, and toss it into the bin. Do not throw the mushrooms or the soil into your compost pile.
6 Fill the plugs in with fresh soil. Avoid using immature compost, which could contain mushroom spores. (Mature compost is great for soil drainage and sterilized by the composting process.)
If you have heavy clay soil, add sand to the mix to help with drainage.
7 Consider patching up the soil with a quick-growing grass. The grass will cover the soil on its own, but it can take a while. If you are in a hurry to get your lawn looking green again, you can cover the bare soil with some fresh sod (turf). You can also sprinkle some grass seeds over the soil instead.
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Mushrooms are taking over my yard! How do I get rid of them? WikiAxolotlKeeper936 Hello all! To make a long story short, it rained heavily last week and I noticed a few white mushrooms in my yard. I didn’t think anything of it, really. I picked them with a plastic bag, threw them out, and went to bed. I woke up the next day and there were like…hundreds of mushrooms. I’m not kidding. It was nuts. I don’t really have anything against the mushrooms per se, but I have dogs and I worry about them eating the mushrooms if they’re poisonous. That’s also why I’d really prefer not to use fungicide. Can anyone explain why I suddenly have hundreds of mushrooms in my yard? Is there any way to get rid of them naturally without pouring chemicals all over my lawn? Read More Erin Hostetler Edible Gardening Expert Mushrooms are a sign of super healthy soil! The mushrooms we see are the “fruiting” body of a much larger organism that lives within the soil. It is best to simply remove the mushroom caps when you see them pop up. Instead of treating your yard for these symbols of health, I would celebrate them! Read More Ben Barkan Garden & Landscape Designer Mushrooms are an essential part of any thriving ecosystem, acting as nature’s master decomposers. They transform waste into rich, fertile soil, supporting the cycle of life. Instead of viewing mushrooms as a nuisance, shift your perspective: they are a sign of healthy, fertile soil and ecological balance.While mushrooms play a vital role in soil health, some can pose a risk to pets. A mindful balance—respecting their ecological function while ensuring a pet-safe yard—is the best approach. If removal is necessary, do so selectively, rather than trying to eradicate all fungi, which are a natural part of the ecosystem.If a large number of mushrooms suddenly appear in a yard overnight, it's typically a sign of healthy soil conditions and recent environmental changes that favor fungal growth, such as cooler temperatures combined with rain. Read More See all 7 Replies and Read Discussion
Common Questions: Getting Rid of Mushrooms
What herbicides kill mushrooms?
A natural herbicide made out of white vinegar and water can help kill mushrooms in your yard. Mix together 5 tbsp (74 ml) of vinegar with 1 gallon (3.8 l) of water. Remove as many of the mushrooms as you can, then spray the area with the vinegar solution. Some chemical fungicides can help, but they are generally best as a last resort. Manually removing the mushrooms, improving drainage, and aerating your soil are typically the best methods to get rid of them.[10]XResearch source
Does Killex kill fungi?
Ortho Killex is a type of weed killer, not a fungicide, so it is not formulated to kill mushrooms or other fungi. It is unlikely to kill mushrooms in your yard. Instead, Killex is good for killing broadleaf weeds like dandelions, plantain, chickweed, and clover.
What lawn treatments prevent fungal growth?
To treat your lawn and prevent fungal growth, aim to make it less suitable for fungi to grow. Remove any decaying materials, like leaves and tree stumps, and increase the amount of sunlight your yard receives (if possible). Improve soil drainage if you have any areas that accumulate water, break up compacted areas, and avoid overwatering your lawn.[11]XResearch source
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Tips
Fungicides are not very effective at killing mushrooms, because they do not attack the fungus growing beneath the soil. If you do not attack the fungus beneath the soil, the mushrooms will keep coming back. Thanks Helpful 5 Not Helpful 0
If a mushroom is growing on a tree, it means that that part of the tree is dead. In some cases, it might be best to cut down the tree, especially if the fungal infection is deep. A deep fungal infection can weaken the trunk, causing the tree to fall down, which can be a hazard. Thanks Helpful 3 Not Helpful 1
Submit a Tip All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published Name Please provide your name and last initial Submit Thanks for submitting a tip for review! Advertisement
Warnings
Mushroom spores can be blown by the wind from other areas and a reinfestation will occur if you do allow the location to become fungus friendly with moisture, darkness and decay. Do not stop your practices once the mushrooms are gone unless you want them to return. Thanks Helpful 60 Not Helpful 43
Always wash your hands after handling mushrooms. Thanks Helpful 12 Not Helpful 13
Some mushrooms are poisonous. Do not eat any mushrooms that you find. Only experts can distinguish some of the poisonous varieties from edible varieties. Be cautious if children or pets are around wild growing mushrooms. Thanks Helpful 11 Not Helpful 12
Because mushrooms feed off of dead or decomposing material, sometimes it is impossible to completely get rid of them without cutting out the infected area (such as a tree branch or a fence picket). Thanks Helpful 11 Not Helpful 15
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Things You'll Need
Rake
Mower with grass bag catcher
Aerator
Hoe
Nitrogen fertilizer
Fungicide
Fireplace or incinerator (optional)
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Co-authored by: Andrew Carberry, MPH Food Systems and Gardening Expert This article was co-authored by Andrew Carberry, MPH. Andrew Carberry is a Food Systems Expert and the Senior Program Associate at the Wallace Center at Winrock International in Little Rock, Arkansas. He has worked in food systems since 2008 and has experience working on farm-to-school projects, food safety programs, and working with local and state coalitions in Arkansas. He is a graduate of the College of William and Mary and holds a Masters degree in public health and nutrition from the University of Tennessee. This article has been viewed 1,062,962 times. 39 votes - 76% Co-authors: 29Updated: August 16, 2025 Views: 1,062,962 Categories: Garden Pests and WeedsArticle SummaryX
To kill mushrooms, first put latex gloves on to keep potentially poisonous spores off of your hands while you work. Then, pull each cap out of the ground by hand. Put the mushroom caps in a plastic bag and discard it to keep the mushroom spores from spreading. Mix 4 parts water with 1 part horticultural vinegar in a spray bottle. Mist the soil where the base of each mushroom was sticking out of the ground. Continue doing this for 5 days to ensure that the mushrooms don’t grow back. Alternatively, you can work a fertilizer high in nitrogen into the soil where the mushroom caps were growing to kill the roots. You can also mix 3 tablespoons (45 mL) of dish soap with 2 gallons (7.5 L) of water and pour this mixture into the soil to keep the mushrooms away. Keep in mind that a small patch of mushrooms is actually good for your lawn and is a sign of healthy soil. For tips from our gardening reviewer on preventing future mushroom growth, read on!Did this summary help you?YesNo
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Reader Success Stories
Coleen Anderson
Aug 7, 2017
"I noticed a small cluster of these mushrooms shortly after a guest dropped her salad (with mushrooms) onto the lawn. I ignored them thinking they would go away and now they have multiplied many times over! Wish I had read this article sooner. Will follow steps outlined and hope to get rid of them. "..." more
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Did this article help you?
Yes No Advertisement Cookies make wikiHow better. By continuing to use our site, you agree to our cookie policy. Co-authored by: Andrew Carberry, MPH Food Systems and Gardening Expert 39 votes - 76% Click a star to vote Co-authors: 29Updated: August 16, 2025 Views: 1,062,962
Coleen Anderson
Aug 7, 2017
"I noticed a small cluster of these mushrooms shortly after a guest dropped her salad (with mushrooms) onto the lawn. I ignored them thinking they would go away and now they have multiplied many times over! Wish I had read this article sooner. Will follow steps outlined and hope to get rid of them. "..." more
Yvlani Lockhart
Jul 14, 2017
"Huge mushrooms appear following a torrential rain, in the same area. It is near the pool filter and equipment. Last year there were three huge ones. I dug them up and poured boiling water in the hole. I plan to pour dish soap for now. Nitrogen next!"..." more
Joanne Roberts
Jun 22, 2016
"A lot of work, but terrific information, and varied. I'm 76, and can't do all the lawn work suggested (getting rid of thatch, etc), and can't afford to hire. But other remedies of getting rid of mushrooms I can do. Loved your article. "..." more
Anonymous
Aug 18, 2016
"Thanks for the info! Love to learn more but have to get rid of a few I found, this first time on the front lawn. So I will bag & then use soapy water. Those #2 suggestions seems to work for most pests, too! Sure hope it works!"..." more
Anonymous
Nov 4, 2017
"There was a lot we'd learned just in our own activities with mushrooms, but this article gave us some new insights while confirming things we'd learned. Very helpful, thank you!"..." more Share yours! More success stories Hide success stories
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Download Article Co-authored by Andrew Carberry, MPH 
WikiAxolotlKeeper936 Hello all! To make a long story short, it rained heavily last week and I noticed a few white mushrooms in my yard. I didn’t think anything of it, really. I picked them with a plastic bag, threw them out, and went to bed. I woke up the next day and there were like…hundreds of mushrooms. I’m not kidding. It was nuts. I don’t really have anything against the mushrooms per se, but I have dogs and I worry about them eating the mushrooms if they’re poisonous. That’s also why I’d really prefer not to use fungicide. Can anyone explain why I suddenly have hundreds of mushrooms in my yard? Is there any way to get rid of them naturally without pouring chemicals all over my lawn? Read More 
Erin Hostetler Edible Gardening Expert Mushrooms are a sign of super healthy soil! The mushrooms we see are the “fruiting” body of a much larger organism that lives within the soil. It is best to simply remove the mushroom caps when you see them pop up. Instead of treating your yard for these symbols of health, I would celebrate them! Read More 
Ben Barkan Garden & Landscape Designer Mushrooms are an essential part of any thriving ecosystem, acting as nature’s master decomposers. They transform waste into rich, fertile soil, supporting the cycle of life. Instead of viewing mushrooms as a nuisance, shift your perspective: they are a sign of healthy, fertile soil and ecological balance.While mushrooms play a vital role in soil health, some can pose a risk to pets. A mindful balance—respecting their ecological function while ensuring a pet-safe yard—is the best approach. If removal is necessary, do so selectively, rather than trying to eradicate all fungi, which are a natural part of the ecosystem.If a large number of mushrooms suddenly appear in a yard overnight, it's typically a sign of healthy soil conditions and recent environmental changes that favor fungal growth, such as cooler temperatures combined with rain. Read More 
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Co-authored by: Andrew Carberry, MPH Food Systems and Gardening Expert This article was co-authored by Andrew Carberry, MPH. Andrew Carberry is a Food Systems Expert and the Senior Program Associate at the Wallace Center at Winrock International in Little Rock, Arkansas. He has worked in food systems since 2008 and has experience working on farm-to-school projects, food safety programs, and working with local and state coalitions in Arkansas. He is a graduate of the College of William and Mary and holds a Masters degree in public health and nutrition from the University of Tennessee. This article has been viewed 1,062,962 times. 39 votes - 76% Co-authors: 29 Updated: August 16, 2025 Views: 1,062,962 Categories: Garden Pests and Weeds Article SummaryX
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1 Remove the mushrooms from the ground as soon as you see the caps appear. If you leave them for too long, they will release spores, which will lead to more mushrooms. When you see mushrooms appear, simply pull them out of the ground. 
2 Dispose of the mushrooms properly. Do not toss them into your compost pile. Instead, keep a plastic bag with you, and put them into the bag as soon as you pull them out of the ground. Once the bag is full, tie the bag up tightly, and toss it into a trashcan or incinerator. This will help prevent the mushrooms from spreading spores across your lawn.[1] Advertisement 
4 De-thatch the lawn to minimize shade and create more air circulation.[6] 
5 Make sure that there is enough air circulation by aerating your lawn. Not enough air circulation will lead to moisture being trapped—and where there is excess moisture, there will be mushrooms. Get an aerator from a home improvement or hardware store, and go over your lawn with it. The aerator will pull out plugs of earth out of your lawn. This will help loosen the soil and let more air in.[7] 
1 Locate the fairy ring. A fairy ring is a ring of mushrooms growing in grass. They're usually easy to spot, but sometimes the mushroom caps are not visible. In these cases, the fairy ring will appear as a ring of dark green grass. In some cases, the ring will appear as a circle of dead grass.[8] 
3 Use a lawn aerator on fairy rings if the fungal mat is fewer than 3 inches (7.62 centimeters) thick. Start aerating 24 inches (60.96 centimeters) outside the outer rim of the ring, and work your way inward towards the center.[9] 
4 Dig out fairy rings if the fungus mat is deeper than 3 inches (7.62 centimeters). Get a shovel, and dig out the soil containing the mushrooms. Go about 12 inches (30.48 centimeters) deep. Once you have dug out the mushrooms, you will need to expand the ring you just dug by 12 to 18 inches (30.48 to 45.72 centimeters) to either side. 24 inches (60.96 centimeters) would be better. Some experts advise digging all the way to the center of the ring.