There’s something comforting about pulling out your favorite winter sweater after months of summer wear. You expect that cozy scent, the soft fabric, maybe even a hint of cedar from storage.
But what you don’t expect?
Finding tiny, oval-shaped reddish balls stuck to the fabric — ones that feel like pebbles and smell like... well, something you’d rather not describe.
That’s exactly what happened to me when I went through my closet recently. I was getting ready to donate some gently used sweaters — they looked fine, no holes or stains — until I started washing them.
And then it hit me.
Those weren’t seeds. They weren’t lint. They weren’t mold.
They were moth eggs — or worse, larvae casings left behind by these silent closet invaders.
And let me tell you… I almost threw up.
What Are Those Little Reddish Balls on Clothes?
If you’ve ever found small, oval, reddish-brown or orange specks on stored clothing, especially wool, silk, or cashmere, there’s a good chance you’re dealing with clothes moths — specifically, their eggs or larval cases .
Here’s what you may have encountered:
- Moth eggs – Laid in hidden folds of fabric, often near seams or under collars.
- Larval cases (cocoons) – The little reddish-brown husks are protective shells left behind as larvae mature.
- Fecal pellets or debris – Moth larvae leave behind waste and silk threads, which can look like tiny clumps or balls.
These signs mean one thing: you had a moth infestation — possibly undetected for years.
Why Moths Love Your Old Clothes
