Artillery fungus develops in moist environments and shoots out tiny, sticky black spots that stick to surfaces like siding and windows. While this blight poses no health dangers, it creates unsightly spots around your property, which may lead you to seek treatment or prevention options.
Understanding Artillery Fungus
Artillery fungus is one of the common names for Sphaeobulus stellatus. People also call it shotgun fungus and cannonball fungus. These names come from the spread pattern of its spores, which resemble a spray of bullets or similar projectiles.
The organism develops in rotting wood like noncomposted mulch and other moist environments. Once they collect enough moisture, the fruiting bodies burst open, releasing spores up to 20 feet away. These spores are about 1 to 3 millimeters in diameter, and their sticky nature makes them hard to get rid of.
Shotgun fungus needs sunlight and moisture to grow. It fares best in spring and fall during moderate temperatures between 50 and 70 degrees. It dies in temperatures above 78 but sometimes survives winter. When it releases spores, it aims toward the light, which could be the sun. However, in many cases, light-colored surfaces like siding or glass attract spores.
How to Remove Artillery Fungus
Cannonball fungus doesn’t harm humans, pets or plants and doesn’t cause structural damage, but it can have an unsightly appearance, which may prompt you to look for removal methods.
1. Identify It
This organism requires particular removal methods, so start by determining whether the spots you see are artillery fungus. Grab a magnifying glass and look at the spots. They should have a globe-like shape. Once broken open, the spores have a whitish, granular, gummy center. Other substances with a similar appearance include mold, soot, insects and droppings, other fungi and tar.
Distinguish this growth with the following factors:
- Location: It often grows near mulch, rotting wood, fallen trees and animal dung but needs sunlight. Algae and mold often grow in darker areas.
- Appearance: Other substances have a less uniform appearance. Mildew, for example, is fuzzy and irregular in shape.
- Pattern: Black dots from insect droppings tend to cover a concentrated area, while artillery fungus has a large spread.
- Season: This nuisance grows most commonly in spring and fall, though its spores can be present at other times of the year.
2. Begin Gently
Once you identify the fungus, you can seek removal. No fungicide controls it, but cleaning removes the spots. Start quickly within two to three weeks of when the spots appear to prevent them from adhering to the surface more strongly.
Begin with the gentlest treatment method — scraping the surface with soap and hot water. Avoid scraping spores back into the soil, as doing so may cause further growth.
3. Seek Stronger Cleaning Methods
If you need a firmer removal method, use an equal mixture of bleach and water, but ensure the bleach does not damage the surface.
If you seek professional removal, beware of pressure washing companies claiming to perform artillery fungus removal. Cleaning away the growth would require abrasive tools or pressure that may affect the surface.
Suggestions for Preventing Artillery Fungus
This sticky annoyance requires time-consuming removal, so you may seek to prevent its appearance before it spreads. Here are a few of the best methods.
Environmental Management
Remove and throw away any mulch affected by the fungus and start fresh. Don’t just cover the affected mulch because spores may eventually reemerge. Avoid composting the material, as this process keeps the fungus on your property.
Regular Maintenance
Seek yearly professional pressure washing. While this process won’t remove shotgun fungus, it keeps your siding and other surfaces clean, preventing the spread of mold, other fungi and grime.
Also, stir up mulch regularly to prevent moisture growth. Clean up any dead plants, flowers or twigs that could collect moisture. Keep wood piles away from the house.
Material Choices
This fungus grows best in noncomposted mulch, so you can reduce the risk that it reappears by choosing different landscaping materials. Switch out mulch for bark or cedar. You can also mix in mushroom compost, which limits unwanted fungi. Otherwise, opt for other materials like stone or gravel in unplanted areas.
Get Professional Pressure Washing From Perfect Power Wash
Pressure washing helps you maintain your home exterior, removing contaminants like dirt and mold that detract from its appearance. While it cannot remove artillery fungus, regular pressure washing contributes to overall upkeep and keeping your home or business clean. Seek expert services from Perfect Power Wash by calling 866-294-9098 to request a quote.
