Mulch Mold On Vinyl Siding

Sounds like you have what they call shotgun mold shotgun fungus or artillery m.

Mulch mold on vinyl siding.

This mold found on house siding looks like small black dots. Replace wood mulch with landscape fabric and small stones. Mold removal usually requires some scrubbing and the best tool to use is a stiff bristle natural fiber scrub brush avoid metal fiber brushes they can damage the siding. Here is what the spores look like on the vinyl siding.

I have heard that the mulch can spit its coloring out and also that it could be mold from the mulch. There is research to suggest that blending mushroom compost at a rate of 40 with landscape mulch can suppress the spores. Pressure wash the siding on your house. The worst thing about this fungus is that it shoots spores up to 20 feet which often land on siding cars.

The artillery fungus or shotgun fungus is a wood decay fungus that likes to live on moist landscape mulch. Do you have little black spots all over your car or siding. It s attractive and durable plus it holds up better than wood siding. Also the use of gravel or plastic mulch will not.

The vinyl siding institute yes there really is such an organization offers some helpful and specific tips for dealing with stubborn moldy spots on your siding. Over time and through repeated changes in weather vinyl siding will attract and develop mold or mildew spots especially in north facing and other shaded areas. Vinyl siding is undeniably growing in popularity and with good reason too. There is no fungicide registered as an artillery fungus treatment.

Here is a photo of what the actual fungus that produces the black spores. I have tried house and siding cleaner and a pressure washer to no avail. How to prevent mold on vinyl siding. You can power wash them off of vinyl siding but such methods can be damaging to cars and wood siding.

Add a fresh layer of mulch. In effect it looks like someone shot your house with little tiny bullets. I also tried krud kutter and a scotch brite sponge which works but it would take five years to clean the siding that way. Vinyl siding is made to withstand cracks chips and fading.

Making a habit of cleaning your home s siding flower pots and outdoor furniture with a biodegradable cleaner will prevent the spores from staining the surfaces. In extreme cases removing the mulch from your property completely and using an alternative stone or non wood mulch may be the only permanent solution. Scrub with moderate pressure being careful not to push too hard against the flexible vinyl which can break using a scrub brush on the end of a long pole will help you avoid the need to climb to the top of the ladder to. In order to kill artillery mold you must remove the spores from your siding and from the contaminated mulch that brought the spores to your home.