I found something strange in the yard – white, round balls: I was horrified when I realized what it was.

 

# I Found Something Strange in the Yard – White, Round Balls: I Was Horrified When I Realized What It Was

It started like any other weekend. The sun was shining, birds were chirping, and I had decided to finally tackle the yard work I had been putting off for weeks. The grass needed mowing, the flowerbeds needed weeding, and the garden tools had long been gathering dust in the shed. I had no idea that, in the process of tidying up my yard, I would stumble upon something that would leave me horrified—and questioning everything I thought I knew about my own backyard.

What I found were **white, round balls** scattered across the grass. At first, I thought maybe a neighbor’s kid had been playing with marbles or that some leftover decoration from a garden party had blown over. But as I approached them, a strange feeling crept up my spine—a combination of curiosity, unease, and disbelief.

This is the story of what I discovered, how I reacted, and the shocking truth behind those mysterious white balls in my yard.

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## The Discovery

I was crouched down, mowing around the flowerbeds, when I noticed something odd. The sunlight glinted off something white just beyond the roses. I squinted, thinking it might be some kind of plastic, maybe the remnants of a lawn ornament I had forgotten about. But when I got closer, I realized that these objects weren’t plastic at all.

They were perfectly **round, about the size of ping pong balls**, and unnervingly uniform. There were dozens of them, scattered in a rough line along the edge of my yard. My first instinct was to pick one up—but even from a distance, I could tell there was something… unnatural about them.

I reached down, hesitated, and touched one with my fingertips. It was cold, slightly spongy, and had a faint, almost metallic smell. My mind raced through possibilities: could it be some kind of fungus? Animal eggs? Or perhaps a strange chemical spill?

None of these explanations made sense—at least, not yet.

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## The Growing Unease

The more I looked at the white balls, the more unsettled I became. My backyard, which I had always considered safe and familiar, suddenly felt alien. There was a strange order to the arrangement, like someone—or something—had deliberately placed them there.

I stepped back, trying to rationalize what I was seeing. “Maybe it’s just a weird mushroom,” I told myself. I had read somewhere that certain fungi can form **perfectly spherical fruiting bodies**, and some of them can be white. That seemed plausible… until I noticed the faint **sticky residue on the grass** around them.

That detail made me hesitate. Sticky, round, and uniform? None of my imagined explanations felt right. I decided I needed to investigate further—carefully.

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## Searching for Clues

I started by examining the balls individually. They were firm yet slightly soft under pressure, with a faint, powdery coating on the surface. When I gently rolled one in my hand, a small crack formed, revealing a pale, spongy interior.

At this point, I began thinking about **animal activity**. Could some creature have been laying eggs? But the size and uniformity didn’t match anything I knew from local wildlife. I’ve lived in this area for over a decade, and while I’m no biologist, I know my neighborhood critters. These didn’t resemble bird eggs, reptile eggs, or even the oddly-shaped amphibian eggs that sometimes appear near ponds.

Still, I kept my curiosity in check. There was something unnerving about the way these objects seemed to almost radiate… wrongness. I put one down carefully and took a few steps back.

That’s when I noticed movement.

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## The Horror Unfolds

At first, it was subtle—a slight quivering in one of the balls. I froze, heart pounding. My rational mind told me it was probably the wind or a branch shaking, but the closer I looked, the clearer it became that **the balls were moving on their own**.

One of them rolled slightly to the side, as if nudged by some invisible hand. My stomach dropped. I stepped back again, eyes wide. Something about these spheres wasn’t just unnatural—they were alive.

I can’t explain the wave of dread that swept over me. The backyard, my familiar sanctuary, had become a scene straight out of a horror movie. I wanted to call someone, anyone, but I also didn’t know **who would believe me**.

I decided to do what anyone curious—and stupid—person would do: I took my phone and snapped a picture.

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## Research and Realization

After retreating to the safety of my living room, I began researching what I had found. I scrolled through articles about unusual mushrooms, animal eggs, and even urban legends of bizarre yard phenomena.

That’s when the horrifying realization hit me: these weren’t mushrooms or eggs—they were **stinkhorn fungus eggs**.

Stinkhorns are a type of fungus that start as small, round, white “eggs” before rapidly growing into grotesque, foul-smelling structures. While most species aren’t dangerous to humans, the thought that my yard had somehow become a **fertile breeding ground for dozens of these disgusting fungi** made my skin crawl.

I dug deeper and discovered that certain species could **emit a strong, unpleasant odor when they mature**, designed to attract insects that help disperse their spores. I had unknowingly stumbled upon a growing colony.

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## Immediate Action

I knew I had to act fast. Leaving the fungus alone could allow it to spread across my yard, and I didn’t want the smell attracting unwanted pests or insects. I put on gloves and a mask, grabbed a plastic bag, and carefully picked up each of the white balls.

The smell was subtle at first, but I could feel it slowly creeping into the air as I worked. By the time I had bagged them all, my backyard smelled faintly of **rotting vegetation mixed with ammonia**. It was disgusting.

I sealed the bags tightly and disposed of them in an outdoor trash bin far from the house.

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## Preventing a Recurrence

After the initial shock, I wanted to ensure that this never happened again. I learned that stinkhorns thrive in **rich, organic matter**, like mulch, decaying wood, or damp soil.

Here’s what I did:

1. **Cleared Out Decaying Material**

   * Removed old mulch and rotting plant matter from flowerbeds.

   * Pruned dead branches and leaves.

2. **Improved Drainage**

   * Stagnant, damp areas are perfect for fungal growth.

   * Added gravel and aerated the soil to reduce moisture buildup.

3. **Used Fungus-Resistant Mulch**

   * Some mulch types are less likely to harbor fungal spores.

4. **Regular Yard Maintenance**

   * I now check the yard weekly for unusual growths.

   * Quick action prevents a small colony from becoming a bigger problem.

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## Lessons Learned

Finding those white, round balls in my yard was a frightening experience, but it taught me several important lessons:

1. **Stay Calm and Investigate**

   * At first, my panic made me freeze, but stepping back and observing carefully helped me identify the cause.

2. **Knowledge Is Key**

   * Knowing about local fungi, wildlife, and yard hazards can prevent unnecessary fear.

3. **Act Quickly**

   * Fungus and pests can spread quickly. Immediate action reduces risks.

4. **Proper Yard Hygiene Matters**

   * Regular maintenance not only improves the look of your yard but also prevents unpleasant surprises.

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## Other Strange Things You Might Find in Your Yard

After my experience, I started paying closer attention to my yard, and I realized there are many “strange things” that can appear, some harmless, others less so:

* **Mysterious Mushrooms**: Many types are edible, but some are toxic. Always research before touching or consuming.

* **Animal Nests or Eggs**: Birds, reptiles, and even small mammals sometimes lay eggs in hidden corners.

* **Invasive Insects**: Ant colonies, beetles, or wasps can sometimes establish themselves unnoticed.

* **Unidentified Objects**: Plastic, balls, or even small lost items from neighbors can appear, often unnoticed until you step on them.

Being observant and cautious is essential—what seems innocuous may not be.

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## Final Thoughts

Looking back, I still shiver at the memory of those white, round balls. The horror wasn’t just the appearance—they were alive in a way I hadn’t expected, and I realized how little I knew about the life thriving in my own backyard.

Now, my yard is carefully maintained, and I check it regularly for anything unusual. But I’ll never forget the day I stumbled upon those mysterious spheres and the mix of curiosity, dread, and fascination that followed.

Finding something strange in your yard can be unsettling—but with **knowledge, caution, and quick action**, you can handle almost anything nature throws your way. Just remember: sometimes, the things we find in our own backyards are **more alive—and more unsettling—than we ever imagined**.

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**Key Takeaways:**

* White, round balls in your yard could be fungal “eggs” like stinkhorns.

* Observe first, handle carefully, and don’t panic.

* Remove decaying organic matter to prevent fungal growth.

* Regular yard maintenance and awareness prevent surprises.

* Always wear gloves and masks when handling unknown natural objects.