MESSY PLACES can refer to two different crossword solutions: STIES (5 letters) and RATSNESTS (9 letters). A stie is a small, untidy area, usually outdoors, that is used for keeping animals such as pigs or chickens. A ratsnest is an area that is cluttered with objects, often in a disorganized manner. It is also used to describe a place that is full of wires and cables, which can be difficult to navigate. Both terms are used to describe places that are messy and disorganized.