Yes, they can.
But, like many things with bed bugs, context matters.
Curtains aren’t usually the first place an infestation begins.
However, if they’re close to an infested bed or provide quiet folds of fabric that are rarely disturbed, they can become an additional hiding place.
Why would bed bugs choose curtains?
Bed bugs don’t choose curtains because they like fabric.
They choose them because curtains can provide:
- Deep folds.
- Seams.
- Pleats.
- Quiet areas behind the fabric.
- Places close to where people sleep.
If a bed is positioned directly beneath a window, the curtains may be only a few centimetres from their usual hiding places.
Where should you inspect?
Pay attention to:
- Curtain pleats.
- Top headings.
- Hook attachments.
- Seams.
- Hems.
- Areas where curtains rest against the wall.
Use a bright torch and examine each section carefully.
Are curtains a common hiding place?
Compared with bed frames or headboards?
No.
Compared with areas several metres away from the bed?
Possibly.
That’s why inspections should always begin close to the sleeping area before expanding further into the room.
Don’t overlook what’s behind the curtain
Sometimes the curtain isn’t the issue at all.
The wall behind it is.
Inspect:
- Wallpaper edges.
- Window frames.
- Skirting boards.
- Cracks around the window reveal.
These sheltered areas can be much more attractive than the fabric itself.
🔍 Inspection Insight
Curtains often become part of an inspection because of where they are—not because of what they’re made from.
Whenever I inspect curtains, I’m also inspecting the wall, the window frame and every nearby crack.
It’s the surrounding environment that usually provides the most useful clues.
✅ What I’d Do Next
If your bed is positioned close to a window, include the curtains in your inspection.
Work from the bed outwards rather than starting at the window.
That approach is usually faster and much more productive.
Related Guides
- Where Do Bed Bugs Hide During the Day?
- Can Bed Bugs Live in Furniture?
- How to Check for Bed Bugs
- Signs of Bed Bugs in a Bed Frame
Bed Bugs in Curtains FAQs
Yes. They can climb many textured surfaces, including curtain fabric.
If you’re dealing with an infestation, laundering curtains may form part of the overall treatment process, but it shouldn’t replace a thorough inspection of the rest of the room.
No. The type of curtain is less important than whether it provides sheltered hiding places close to where people sleep.