How to Kill Black Fungus Growing on Yard Plants

Black fungus on yard plants is a sure sign that they have been infected with black, sooty mold. This common fungal disease is caused by a secretion called honeydew, left on leaves from insects such as aphids, mealybugs, scales and whiteflies. Honeydew is a sticky substance that attracts black fungal spores that blow in the wind. The result is a yard full of foliage covered in the sooty, sticky substance. If the black fungus is left on the leaves, plants have a difficult time photosynthesizing. It is essential to not only treat the black fungus, but rid your lawn of honeydew-secreting insects.

Insecticide soap
Ant baits
Insecticide
Bypass shears
Pruning saw

Instructions

- 1
  Dilute insecticide soap according to its directions with water. Use an insecticide soap that contains potassium salts.
- 2
  Spray the plant from the crown, and down to the bottom of its foliage. Lift each leaf to deliver some of the spray to remove the black fungus.
- 3
  Repeat the spray in a few days, because the elements will weather away the insecticide. Be sure to spray your plants in the morning to allow their foliage to dry. Wet leaves in nighttime temperatures can allow a worse fungal infection to invade your plant.
- 4
  Place ant baits throughout the yard. Ants protect honeydew-secreting insects, because the ants eat their honeydew. Use an ant bait that contains poison and a sweet attractant to reduce the ant population. A reduced ant population will leave honeydew-secreting insects more susceptible to their predators.
- 5
  Monitor your plants throughout the growing season. Prune off any leaves, blossoms or fruit that have been damaged by lawn pests. Use a pair of bypass shears for small twigs and leaves, or a pruning saw for branches.

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