Mysterious Piles in Daughter’s Room Baffle Online Community
Facebook and other social media platforms have long been a hub for friendly, communal groups. Many focus on everyday topics like cleaning, homemaking, and home organization. But sometimes, a simple post sparks concern rather than advice.
Such was the case in the popular “Homemaking Tips” group when Kelli Tarin shared a baffling photo.
The Strange Discovery
On August 10th, Tarin posted an image of a fine, dirt-like pile on the floor. She explained she had found two similar piles, both located in her daughter’s room, and had been cleaning them daily.
The piles appeared shortly after moving into a rented house, and Tarin described them as feeling like shells but looking like coffee grounds or ant beds. Unsure what to do, she asked the group for help.
The Post Goes Viral
Her post quickly gained attention. In no time, it received over 9,000 comments and more than 440,000 reactions. Despite the flood of responses, no one could identify the mysterious piles with certainty.
Suggestions varied widely:
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Some thought it was an ant nest.
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Others suspected mouse droppings.
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Some believed it could be termite debris.

Professionals Also Stumped
Tarin decided to call in experts. She contacted two pest control companies, but both admitted they had never seen anything like it.
To protect her daughter, Tarin ensured she slept with her father until the mystery was resolved. She also eliminated other possibilities:
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Termites – droppings wouldn’t feel crunchy or seed-like.
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Roaches – the house was thoroughly sprayed, with only a few dead ones spotted.
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Mice – Tarin grew up on a farm and recognized typical mouse droppings.
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Bats – unlikely in West Texas, where they lived.
Clues Lead to an Unexpected Solution
The piles appeared in just two days, and only in her daughter’s room. Tarin continued to clean daily and contacted the landlords for help.
Finally, a clue came from a group member: the piles might be from a lavender bear that had burst. This jogged Tarin’s memory—she had a pile of toys on top of the mysterious mess, including a lavender bear she had discarded, thinking it was infested.
Upon examining the bear, she found a hole inside, containing the same material as the piles.
Mystery Solved
The mystery was finally resolved: the piles came from the torn lavender bear. What began as a baffling household mystery ended with a simple, harmless explanation.
Tarin thanked the online community for their support, noting that the suggestions kept her light-hearted throughout the ordeal.
All’s well that ends well!