Question
i live in Maryland. its been damp an rainy here lately. i live in a trailer. in my front yard around no trees are tiny groups of mushrooms and they are a whit that turns black with a mold growing on it. this morning we found on the back side of my trailer was a soft almost clear orange long thing that looks like a carrot. it has no smell and i have a small dog. i would like to know how to get rid of them and if they just found the carrot shaped ones. theres no trees near them either. what can i use to get rid of them and not harm my animals. Im at a loss. I've never seen a long orange skinny carrot mushroom. can it kill my pets or children if they touch it. please email me about them. will frost or sun kill them? thank u, melinda bachman


Answer
Hi Melinda:
Some mushrooms can seem to appear "almost overnight" in the yard or flower bed.  They usually grow in association with organic matter, often buried in the soil or mulch. Keep in mind that some can be poisonous to pets and children.

Using your computer, open "Google Images" and search for pictures of the Elegant Stinkhorn mushroom to see if this is what you are describing. These usually stink a lot, but maybe it is too young now. This stinkhorn has a terrible odor- often compared to the odor of rotting flesh. (If you like, you can send me a photo. Be sure to review it on your computer first- to be sure it is in focus and not blurred before you send).

Chemical are not usually recommended for controlling them, just mowing them over or physically picking them up.

Regards
Steve