Found This Underneath My Patio Furniture Cover — What Is It?

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Found This Underneath My Patio Furniture Cover — What Is It?

We’ve all had those moments — you lift the cover off your patio furniture after a long winter or rainy season and… something’s there. It’s not the cushions, not the furniture legs, not a lost gardening glove. It’s something unfamiliar. Something strange. Recently, while uncovering my patio set for the season, I stumbled upon just that — a small, brownish clump tucked between the lounge chair and the frame. At first glance, I wasn’t sure whether to poke it, toss it, or run from it.

So, what was it?

The Surprise Guests We Never Invite

Spring and fall are high times for wildlife and insects to seek shelter in warm, dry places. Your patio furniture cover provides the perfect little ecosystem: protected, insulated, and rarely disturbed. And that mystery clump? It turns out, it could be one of several things:

1. A Wasp or Hornet Nest

These papery, comb-like structures often start small — about the size of a golf ball — and can quickly grow if unnoticed. If your “mystery item” looked like a bundle of hexagonal holes or felt like dry paper, it was likely the beginnings of a wasp or hornet nest. Check carefully before disturbing it, especially if it’s active.

2. Rodent Nest

Found some shredded fabric, twigs, and even bits of plastic? That could be a mouse or rat nest. Small mammals look for cozy, hidden places to build homes, and your patio cushion storage might be the perfect real estate.

3. Frog or Toad Hideout

If your patio area is damp or near water, it’s not uncommon for frogs or toads to crawl under the cover to escape the heat or cold. Look for small, damp depressions or a motionless amphibian nestled in the corner.

4. Mold or Fungus Growth

Surprisingly, mold or fungus can also grow under covers, especially if moisture gets trapped. If the object was soft, white, green, or black with a musty smell — it’s time to break out the disinfectant and let everything air out thoroughly.

5. Cocoon or Insect Egg Sac

Sometimes, what you find might be an insect cocoon — a silken structure containing developing moths, spiders, or other insects. These are usually harmless but can be creepy to stumble across unexpectedly.