Common pest and disease control methods for oyster mushrooms

Mycelial overgrowth: When the relative humidity of the air is too high, a large amount of clumped aerial mycelium grows on the surface of the mycelium, affecting mushroom formation. The solution is to reduce humidity and increase ventilation.

Rust spots: When too much water is sprayed, air humidity exceeds 95%, and ventilation is poor, brown spots can appear on both the caps and stipes; at this time, ventilation should be increased and humidity reduced.

Withering: When the substrate is too dry and the air humidity is too low, mushroom buds or fruiting bodies stop growing, shrivel and dry out, and may even die or rot. Water should be replenished reasonably, relative humidity adjusted, and ventilation properly managed.

Deformed fruiting bodies shaped like coral, with thick bases, very long stipes, and small caps, are caused by oxygen deficiency and poor ventilation; ventilation and air exchange should be increased.

Dry bubble disease, also known as brown spot disease, causes a white fuzzy mycelium on the surface of the fruiting body, brown spots, and shrinkage and cracking of the cap. Control methods: spray a 2% formaldehyde solution or 1:500 carbendazim, and increase ventilation and air exchange.

Mushroom flies look like small black flies and lay eggs at the base of the stipe. The larvae are like maggots and can bite and feed on the stipe, cap, and mycelium. Spraying a 1:800 dilution of a highly effective, low-toxicity pesticide can control them. Alternatively, at night light a barn lantern and place behind it a sheet of galvanized iron covered with tung oil. When the mushroom flies fly toward the light, they stick to the tung oil and die.

Red spider mite is a small yellow-red mite that can harm the mycelium and fruiting bodies. It bites and feeds on the caps and gills. Rust-yellow sunken spots appear on the cap surface. Spray 1:1000 dimethoate or lime sulfur mixture (500 mL plus 10 mL of the concentrate).

Springtails like to bite the fruiting bodies and can be controlled by spraying 0.1% derris extract.