I found strange little reddish balls on an old sweater and almost threw up when I realized what it was.

 

The Mystery of the Little Reddish Balls on My Old Sweater

There are moments in life when you expect a pleasant wave of nostalgia—like rediscovering a favorite old sweater tucked away in a long-forgotten drawer. And then there are moments when that warm sentiment is replaced by a jolt of horror. My moment arrived the instant I noticed a cluster of tiny reddish balls clinging to the fabric. At first, I thought they were just oddly colored lint… until they weren’t.

I leaned in, squinted, and immediately recoiled.

The Unsettling Discovery

The little spheres were perfectly round, firmly attached to the yarn, and definitely not part of the sweater’s design. My stomach turned. Even before researching, I had a sinking suspicion that these weren’t harmless fuzzy bits—this was something alive. Or at the very least, something that used to be alive.

Old clothing stored in dark, undisturbed places attracts all kinds of unwelcome visitors, and one of the most common culprits is the humble clothes moth. While the adults look innocent enough, their eggs and larvae are the real troublemakers. These reddish or yellowish dots? They could very well have been their calling card.

Why It Happens

Sweaters, especially wool or other natural fabrics, are essentially a gourmet buffet for certain insects. Add time, dust, and dark storage conditions, and your cozy knit becomes prime real estate for pests. Eggs, casings, or frass (a polite term for insect debris) can all show up as mysterious little balls.

And when you discover them unexpectedly on something you once lovingly wore? The reaction is… understandable.

What To Do Next

After recovering from the initial shock, it’s important to handle the situation calmly and safely:

• Isolate the sweater so the issue doesn’t spread to other fabrics.

• Wash or dry-clean the garment according to its care label.

• Vacuum and air out the storage area where the sweater was found.

• Consider freezing delicate garments if you're worried about pests—cold temperatures can help eliminate eggs and larvae.

• Avoid shaking the sweater indoors, which can spread the problem.

Even if the reddish balls are ultimately harmless debris, it’s better to take preventive action.

A Lesson in Storage

This unsettling encounter serves as a reminder: clothing stored long-term needs protection. Airtight bins, vacuum-sealed bags, cedar blocks, or lavender sachets can help keep curious critters away.

And if you ever come across tiny, mysterious spheres clinging to your clothing? Don’t ignore them. A closer look—preferably before touching—is your friend.

Final Thoughts

That old sweater may never feel quite the same, but I’ve learned two valuable things:

1. Always check before slipping into something that’s been tucked away for years.

2. Sometimes, the scariest discoveries aren’t monsters under the bed—they’re reddish specks on your favorite knit.