u/RainCatB

Went to turn on lamp, wouldn't work, thought it was weird because it's a fairly new bulb, reached in to check the bulb and pulled it out with a weird fuzz and string glued to one side and a definite hole leading inside the bulb. What the heck happened and what is that stuff?

The lamp itself is super old (20+ years easily), supposed to be a three-light system but that gave up a year or so ago even with a new bulb replaced, and it's open at the top, but I don't know if the open access for dust falling in is a factor since the last bulb lasted way longer and didn't have this happen to it.

It's very solid, webbed looking, and glued to the bulb. I tried pulling it with tweezers but it had too much resistance so I didn't want to shatter the bulb by brute forcing it. But also how did it make a hole in the bulb??

Would love it explained like I'm 5 but also gimme the science behind it because I'm hella intrigued.

EDIT: I'm realizing now that the light dusting sitting higher on the bulb above the weird mesh mess might be drywall dust, because I installed a shelf a couple months ago right above the lamp. Maybe that caused something to happen? But still, wtf is with the string, the glued crunchy mesh crap and the hole?

EDIT EDIT: IT WAS A TOY MOUSE. Found its way into the lamp from the shelf above, cast down by a certain mischievous feline. The culprit will be punished with unwanted kisses and cuddles. Justice is served!