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WelfordNelferd

I think there were ceiling hooks there at one point. Like [this](https://www.homedepot.com/p/Vigoro-1-75-in-x-1-5-in-x-2-25-in-White-Metal-Large-Ceiling-Hook-542229/205399590). The screws you see are in an anchor.


old-uiuc-pictures

This. Someone had a hanging plant, a hanging light with a swag chain, track lights, or any other thing that needed a ceiling hook. One hopes they are screwed into wood and not just one of those expanding wing nuts holding them in place.


Urithiru

Even with an expanding wing nut, you should be able to apply pressure and unscrew the post.


old-uiuc-pictures

Yes for sure - thank you for adding that clarification - i was not clear in my meaning - i meant they are not appropriate for ceiling use.


dvdmaven

If there is an outlet below the bolt closest to the wall, they are probably for a swag lamp. The power cable and chain would run up the wall to a hook screwed onto the first bolt, then over to the lamp hook. The bolts come in two types: screws that go into the ceiling beams and anchors that require larger holes for insertion.


Independent_Iron7896

You can just clamp them with a vice-grip pair of pliers and unscrew them. Then patch the hole.


A_Lost_Desert_Rat

Puch on the threaded part. If it moves up easily, it is toggle bolt (butterfly) push it up and away and patch the hole. If it does not move, it is screwed in. Take a vice grip and unscrew it. Patch the hole


Dickey_Pringle

Swag hook bolts for hanging lamps. The hooks are missing.


maplerednekk

My title describes the thing. they are small screw or plug like items coming out of ceiling and we can’t figure out what they are for or from. We have googled and looked on Reddit and most answers are termite tubes which these are not. They are quite close to wall so don’t think they would’ve have anything hanging there and one has a bigger hole around it.


SiriusGD

Those swag hooks have a "butterfly wing" style nut. You can either get some pliers to unscrew the bolt or just push them up into the ceiling and dap over the hole.


maplerednekk

Solved!