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

Yikes! That sounds really unsettling. 😬 Based on your description, those “strange little reddish balls” on an old sweater are very likely to be bed bug eggs, fecal spots, or dried blood from bed bugs. Here’s a careful breakdown:

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🔹 What Those Red Balls Could Be

1️⃣ Bed Bug Eggs

• Tiny (about 1mm), oval, sticky, and sometimes reddish if they’ve been fed on blood.
• Often found in folds, seams, or old clothing.

2️⃣ Bed Bug Fecal Spots

• Dark red or rusty-colored dots caused by digested blood.
• Usually appear in clusters.

3️⃣ Blood Stains

• If clothing was exposed to mosquito or flea bites, or previous minor bleeding.

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🔹 Why It’s Gross but Important

• Bed bugs can infest clothing and spread quickly in your home.
• Eggs can survive washing if not hot enough.

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🔹 What to Do Immediately

1. Don’t touch with bare hands — use gloves.
2. Isolate the sweater in a sealed plastic bag.
3. Wash in hot water (≥60°C / 140°F) and dry on high heat.
4. Inspect nearby areas (beds, furniture, closets) for more signs.
5. Vacuum and clean the area thoroughly.

⚠️ If you see more bites on your skin or more bugs, you may need professional pest control.

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💡 Tip:

• Freezing old clothing for several days can kill bed bugs and eggs if you can’t wash them immediately.
• Avoid donating or giving away infested clothes—they can spread bed bugs.

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If you want, I can make a “Bed Bug Detection & Treatment Checklist” for clothing and furniture so you can safely get rid of them without risk.

Do you want me to make that?