first is called dog vomit slime mold .. beautiful name.. eh??? .. lol ...

both are free shows of ma nature.. revel in them ...

molds and fungus.. are natures decomposters ... and they are doing such to your mulch ... so frankly.. they are doing there job ... so should be left to do it

second is just a variation on a theme ...

ken

https://www.google.com/search?q=dog+vomit+mold&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ved=0CAcQ_AUoAWoVChMIw5aGxYDgxgIVhTg-Ch1i0wSY&biw=894&bih=745&dpr=0.9

Good old slime mold. This one comes up frequently on GW.

Delicious!

I realize it is not harmful and from what I understand it is actually doing its job, but is there anyway to get rid of it? It is quite unsightly and in a shrub that is right outside my front door. Not necessarily the way I want to greet neighbors! Thank you all for the quick responses.

sure there is.. remove the mulch its decomposing ... but not just this spot..

every piece of the mulch in the whole yard ...

why bother with mulch if you cant appreciate that something is going to break it down ... after these disappear in a few days... week?? .. along will come the mushrooms.. and they will not please you .;..

so get rid of the mulch ...

hence ... we all take a much more zen attitude about things mother nature gives us ... call it a show.. and enjoy it ... as we are much too lazy to remove all that mulch we paid good money for ...

relax.. enjoy the show.. the garden need not be a place to be retentive ....

ken

Slime molds aren't around for very long.

And they don't produce mushrooms.

but I'm sure most of us agree, even as we accept its function, that is is real nasty to look at.

Just find something else to look at in the garden for about 5 days. Don't you have some weeding to do?

I think Ken was saying that, in organic mulches, mushroom-producing fungi are sure to show up as well, and that this person may well not like them either. Right Ken?

+oM

Thanks everyone. If it is going to be gone in a few days, we can definitely deal with it. It is just not the nicest thing for people to see as they are standing at our front door. =)

Barry....try to remember that slime molds aren't related to molds or fungi in any way.

You could try mixing a little soapy water or diluted vinegar in a little plant mister and apply it over the top of your protists. It will probably help make them disappear faster.

However, if you have kids....it's worth letting them have the experience of observing this, especially after doing some research.

I'd be willing to bet they'll bring their friends over to look at it.....