What are the small black dots on my siding and cars?
If your siding, car, fence or any other surfaces around your house have broken out with a rash of black or dark-brown specks that do not want to come off, you are probably at war with something called artillery fungus. It has become increasingly common in recent years, according to experts who have been seeking ways to control and eradicate it. Artillery fungus, also called shotgun fungus or Sphaerobolus stellatus, usually originates in wood-chip mulch that is used around shrubs, flowers and other plants. Wet, rotting mulch breeds small mushrooms that shoot off spores for distances of up to 20 feet. The spores, which are sometimes mistaken for insect waste or bits of tar, cling tenaciously to surfaces such as house siding. I have provided a link for more information. Below is an example of an Artillery fungus outbreak. We have had some luck in removing fresh spores but aged spots will not remove without causing damage to your siding.
