Just jot down in gconf-editor into the Alt+F2 run dialog to pop pop the app.
Remove the checkbox from it, and the icons will instantly disappear from the desktop.
I’m much happier now with my beautiful desktop.
Hide Removable Drive Icons from Your Ubuntu Desktop
I prefer a clean desktop with no icons cluttering it up, but by default Ubuntu adds icons to the desktop for every single removable drive that you attach to your system.
