Concerns Rise Over Bed Bug Infestation at USDA Facility in Maryland
Bed Bug Issues at USDA Facility
A bed bug outbreak at a facility of the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) in Maryland has led to significant frustration among employees. They have been instructed to return to work despite ongoing pest issues and the aftermath of fumigation efforts. Reports indicate that the infestation was identified at the George Washington Carver Center in Beltsville, Maryland, which accommodates staff from the USDA's Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) and the Agricultural Research Service (ARS). Employees were first notified about the infestation in mid-May, as per five staff members familiar with the situation and a transcript from a town hall meeting.
Initially, employees were allowed to work remotely while the building underwent fumigation. However, upon returning, many reported feeling unwell due to the fumes from the treatment, leading the USDA to permit remote work again for a limited time. This decision was an unusual exception to the previous administration's policy mandating federal employees to work in-office five days a week.
Recently, officials informed staff that bed bugs had been detected again in the APHIS building. Unlike the previous outbreak, employees have not been offered additional telework options and are instead advised to use personal leave if they prefer not to come to the office. During a town hall meeting last month, acting APHIS administrator Kelly Moore and acting chief operating officer Carson Hawley assured employees that the closure would be brief and promised further updates via email.
Staff members have expressed that the uncertainty surrounding the infestation has heightened anxiety levels in the workplace. One employee remarked, "They treated the building, and then they sent people home again because of offgassing. Then they came back. Now there's more bedbugs." Another worker noted that employees returned to an office that was making them ill due to lingering chemicals.
Concerns have also been raised about how employees who use public transport can prevent the spread of bed bugs outside the workplace. In a recent email, Hawley suggested that personal items left in offices might have contributed to the resurgence of the pests. She urged employees to bag their belongings and remove them from the building to help ensure a bedbug-free environment.
A USDA spokesperson mentioned that the renewed infestation was linked to employee actions, stating, "USDA took prompt and robust action several weeks ago. Unfortunately, personal belongings left in the offices caused further issue. Animal Pest and Plant Health Inspection Service management is working with employees to ensure the spaces are emptied for proper mitigation."
Some employees expressed hesitance to remove their belongings due to fears of bringing bed bugs home. "They are scared," one employee said about their colleagues. "If you bring them home, the answer is to trash all of your belongings and fumigate your house at your own expense." Additionally, employees have contemplated filing complaints with the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, although some fear potential retaliation.