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

Certainly! Here’s an engaging and slightly suspenseful article for the recipe-style topic:

—

# 🧶 I Found Strange Little Reddish Balls on an Old Sweater — And Almost Threw Up When I Realized What It Was

When you pull out an old, cozy sweater from the back of the closet, you expect maybe a bit of lint, maybe some pilling — but **not a horrifying surprise**. That’s exactly what happened to me recently when I discovered **small reddish-brown balls** clustered in the folds of a wool sweater I hadn’t worn in months.

At first, I thought it was just fabric fuzz or maybe dried lint. But when I looked closer, the truth nearly made me **sick to my stomach**.

—

## 🐛 What Were the Strange Reddish Balls?

To my horror, those little “balls” weren’t just bits of fabric. They were the **droppings and egg casings of clothing moths** — and the sweater was a **breeding ground** for these destructive pests.

Yes, those tiny reddish specks were:

* **Moth droppings (frass)**
* **Larval cases** or cocoons
* Possibly even **dead larvae or eggs**

They thrive in dark, undisturbed areas, especially on natural fibers like **wool, cashmere, alpaca**, and other animal-based materials.

—

## 🧠 Why Does This Happen?

Clothing moths (specifically the **Tineola bisselliella**, or webbing clothes moth) are drawn to:

* **Natural fibers**, especially those with traces of sweat, food, or body oils
* **Dark, quiet spaces** like closets or drawers
* **Unwashed or unworn items** left untouched for months

The moths lay eggs on the fabric, and when the larvae hatch, they begin feeding on the fibers, leaving behind **holes, waste, and webbing**.