I was a bit off on my estimate of a week before the mushroom patch would be a slimy excrementitious heap. I hadn't counted on the effect of 80-degree October weather. The mushrooms were medium-brown but distinct when I left for work in the morning and this is the sight that greeted me when I returned. I got out my plastic sheet and a large bowl of water to wash my hands in. Then I scooped up the maggot-laden mess that so resembled a giant cowpie and deposited it on the plastic where I squished it around looking for beetles. My homemade pooter was hung over my neck with one end in my mouth so I could suck up any beetle trying to flee. I got lots of rove beetles, a carabid and a so-called Small Carrion Beetle.