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Don't Let Artillery Fungus Ruin Your Siding

Writer's picture: Wet Hose LLCWet Hose LLC

If you're like most people, you probably have never heard about artillery fungus, also known as shotgun fungus. Many people mistake it for mold or dirt on their siding. Artillery fungus is a type of fungus that grows primarily on the mulch beds around your home. It's not harmful to humans or pets, but it spreads and can damage your home, vehicles, and other property near mulch beds. This blog post will discuss what artillery fungus is and prevention tips.


What is Artillery Fungus (Shotgun Fungus)?

Artillery fungus is a fungus that develops on rotting wood in a moist environment. Mulch is the perfect environment for them. What makes it unique is how it shoots its spores into the air. The spores can land on surfaces up to 20 feet away, reaching the second story of your siding. The spores are tiny, sticky, tar-like black spots that appear on the siding of our home, on outdoor surfaces such as windows, railings, and cars, or the foliage of landscape plants.




There is no fungicide to control the fungus, and soft wash/pressure wash is not effective at removing them either. Mechanical removal is your only option. You will have to scrape off each spore individually. Removing the black spots within two to three weeks of first appearing is key for effective removal. The longer the stains remain on a surface, the more difficult it will be to clean the surface. This is why prevention is so important!


How can you prevent Artillery Fungus?

Since Artillery fungus develops primarily in wood chip mulch, choosing different bedding for your landscaping is the best way to prevent it in the first place. It is recommended to use river stone or p gravel in place of mulch. However, if you like the look of mulch, proper cedar mulch is naturally resistant to the fungus.


If you must use other mulch, stir it regularly to keep it from retaining moisture and have it taken out and replaced annually. If you leave the old mulch with the artillery fungus in place and just cover it with a layer of new mulch, the fix is merely temporary. Below is a picture of the fungus on mulch so that you can check your landscaping and prevent this fungus from damaging your siding.





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