Carpet Lint / Hairball / Fiber Tangle (Not an insect)

Scientific Name: N/A (Inanimate object debris)

Order & Family: N/A

Size: Varies greatly; typically 1-5 cm in diameter.

Found indoors on carpets, rugs, laundry areas, or corners of rooms where dust and hair accumulate.

Does not eat; composed of shed human or pet hair, carpet fibers, dust, and lint.

Accumulates statically; does not move on its own. Often mistaken for insects due to irregular shape and dark color against lighter backgrounds.

Harmless, though unsightly. Can contribute to dust allergies or harbor dust mites. Not a biological pest.

Identified on: 2/18/2026