Contact Fungicides

A contact fungicide is a chemical compound used to prevent or reduce a fungal disease from a plant.

Contact fungicides, as opposed to systemic fungicides, are not taken up into the plant tissue when applied and protect only the plant where the fungicide has been sprayed. They are normally used to control foliar diseases. When sprayed, they create a protective barrier against fungal pathogens.

Contact fungicides are less costly than systemic fungicides and serve as a great preventer of fungal diseases that can commonly infect vulnerable plants. Contact fungicides are the way to go if you want to protect your precious plants from fungi.

Contact fungicides are very easy to use. Simply mix (following label directions) the selected contact fungicide in a pump sprayer or hose-end sprayer and apply it to your plants, making sure the entire surface is coated. You then reapply periodically to protect the plant from the fungus threat.

Shop our contact fungicide products here. You can contact us directly via phone, email, or live chat if you want more detailed advice and recommendations customized to your specific fungus issue. A Solutions Pest & Lawn representative will happily address any of your concerns.

Our Recommendation

Monterey Consan 20 - is a three-in-one product—a fungicide, disinfectant, and deodorizer. It is a multi-purpose liquid concentrate that can be used indoors and outdoors to treat diseases like brown patch, black spot and algae while also being an excellent cleaning product.

Bear in mind that contact fungicides are preventative and not curative. In other words, they do not get rid of a disease. Instead, they merely prevent a disease from taking hold or protect the plant from being infected.

Tools Needed

Tools Needed

• Handheld Sprayer
• Selected Contact Fungicide Product

PPE

• Chemical Resistant Gloves
• Dust / Mist Mask
• Safety Glasses

How to Use Contact Fungicide

Step 1: Identify the Fungus and Check Conditions.

Before applying a fungicide, make sure you know the cause of the disease (is it a disease? If so, what is causing it? Which Fungi is it? When (spring, fall, etc.), and how often to apply the fungicide.

We recommend checking out our fungi guides so you can learn which fungi are infesting your foliage.

By observing the fungus you have experienced on your plants in the past and correctly identifying the fungus and the conditions that allow it to thrive, you can better approach treatment and be pointed to the right product to use.

Step 2: Mix the Contact Fungicide

Before applying your fungicide, you will first need to determine how much you will need by calculating the square footage of the treatment area.

You can calculate the square footage of your lawn by multiplying the length and width of your area together (length x width = square footage).

To treat lawns with Monterey Consan 20, apply at the rate of 1 gallon of solution per 50 sq. ft. 

Step 3: Apply Contact Fungicide To Plants

Spray the contact fungicide mixture onto the grass or ornamental plants using a fan nozzle spray setting for even coverage. Spray to wet but not to the point of run-off; any fungicide that runs off the plant is wasted.

Repeated applications may be necessary to protect the plant's new growth and replace material washed off by rain or irrigation or degraded by environmental factors such as sunlight.

Key Takeaways

• Contact fungicides are chemical products designed to prevent fungal diseases from growing. They are affordable and very easy to use.
• It’s essential to identify the fungal disease growing on your lawn so you can choose the proper fungicide to treat it. Our top recommended contact fungicide is Monterey Consan 20.
• Mix the fungicide in a pump sprayer and apply it to your lawn, ideally before your susceptible plants have been infected, for protection. Re-apply fungicides periodically until there is no more threat of fungal disease.