This is not a situation for a regular pest control service. You need emergency responders who are trained for hazardous materials.

• Call the Non-Emergency Fire Department Line or 911. Describe exactly what you told us:

  • A strange, moving, slimy substance with a horrific rotting smell.

  • Your physical symptoms (chest tightness, metallic taste).

  • That you fear it could be a hazardous material or chemical.

• Why them? Firefighters are trained as first responders for hazardous material (HazMat) incidents. They have the equipment and expertise to identify and safely contain the substance.

3. Warn Others & Isolate Pets

• Keep family members, neighbors, and pets indoors and away from the garden.

• Do not let pets into the garden under any circumstances.

4. While Waiting for Help

• Ventilate from a Distance: If you need to air out your house, open windows on the opposite side of your home from the garden.

• Note Any Details: Mentally note any other details you saw—approximate size, color ("reddish"), the type of movement. This will help the responders.

Possible Explanations (For Context Only - Let Professionals Diagnose)

While you wait, know that professionals will handle this. What you describe could be several things, all of which require expert handling:

• A Severe Hazardous Chemical Spill: Someone may have illegally dumped a corrosive or toxic substance.

• A Highly Unusual Biological Substance: Such as a large, decaying slime mold (like "Dog Vomit Slime Mold," which can be dramatic but is typically not harmful) or a mass of insect larvae, but the severity of your reaction suggests something more dangerous.

• Decomposing Animal Carcass: The smell fits, but the "slimy, moving, turned inside out" description is unusual and suggests advanced decomposition or scavenger activity.

Do not try to solve this yourself. The combination of the visual, the smell, and—most critically—your acute physical symptoms makes this a matter for emergency services.

Please make the call immediately. Your quick action is vital for your safety and the safety of your community.