How do I get these out of my wall?

[Mamarsupial]

I’ve moved into a new house, where a shelf was previously fixed to plasterboard there are two fixture things in the plaster (see photo).
Anyone know what they are and how I get them out?

(or, alternatively, use them - as I want to put a shelf up in the same place.)

Thanks!

Wall plugs. Tap a screw in and pull out with pliers, should bring the wall plug out with it

Thanks!

When I put up my own shelves, I guess I will need the same. How does one put them in? Do I need to buy a drill 🤔 (complete DIY newbie here!)

If you want to put a shelf in the same space just use them. They are rawl
Plugs designed for plasterboard so they are wider at the back. (Opened like a butterfly) They'll make a mess when you pull them out unless you can unscrew them. Better to push it further and fill over the top.

I'd just reuse them for the new shelves.

If you need them out, screw a screw into them but not all the way in, then pull out screw & plug with pliers

Yes, this. We had a bunch of these and it was definitely easier and cleaner to push them in than pull out.

OK, thanks! So when it comes to putting up my new shelf, I’ll just screw the screws into them? Only thing is I don’t know what size screw to use. Will that just have to be trial and error?

don't try to pull them out - it will make a big mess of the wall.

if you want to use them, Google GripIt plasterboard fixings and see what size of screw goes in the brown ones (different colours have different sizes)

if you want to take it out, use a philips screwdriver to gently turn the middle section and then it will come out easily. there is probably a YouTube video on 'remove GripIt fixing' that would show you how.

You want M6 screws - at least 30mm and longer if your shelf has big brackets.

thanks so much, you lot are the best! 😃