How to Kill a Stinkhorn Fungus

Step-by-Step Guide

1. 1

   Step 1: Dig out the mushroom from its base.

   Don’t simply clip off the above-ground portion of the mushroom; you’ll need to dig beneath it until you’ve scooped out the mushroom’s egg-shaped base.
   
   Also dig under any nearby round white egg-shaped growths, as these are going to be new stinkhorns soon.Secure the foul smelling removed material in a plastic bag.
   
   If you don’t want to get your hands dirty (and smelly) from the stinkhorn, put on a pair of cheap latex disposable gloves.
   
   Put these in an airtight plastic bag and throw them away immediately after you finish killing the mushrooms.
2. 2

   Step 2: Remove the immediate soil.

   There may be spores or other undeveloped mushrooms in the soil immediately surrounding the mushroom you’ve removed, so dig up the top layer of soil in about a 6-inch radius around the mushroom you’ve removed.
   
   If the fungus grew in a medium other than soil—such as tree bark, mulch, or other loose decaying plant material—remove this using the shovel as well.Place the excavated soil (or other material) in the plastic bag along with the stinkhorn fungus.
   
   Then, seal the bag firmly shut. , Do not place the discarded fungal matter with yard waste, since, if the bag were to rupture or open, spores could escape and create new mushrooms.
   
   After these steps, if mushrooms begin to reoccur, you may need to apply a chemical agent. , This will make sure that the mushroom and surrounding spores are truly dead.
   
   After applying the fungal killer spray as directed on the packaging, allow the affected area to receive sunlight and dry out.
   
   The spray should also keep recurrence to a minimum.
   
   You should be able to find a safe, nontoxic fungal killer spray at your local plant nursery or gardening center.
3. 3

   Step 3: Place the bag out for trash collection.

4. 4

   Step 4: Spray the area with an environmentally approved fungal killer.

Detailed Guide

About the Author