Overview
- The George Washington Carver Center in Beltsville, Maryland, which houses the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, first reported bed bugs in mid-May and the building was fumigated while employees worked remotely.
- When staff returned after the first treatment some reported illness from lingering fumigation fumes and USDA again allowed remote work for a short period.
- Employees said bed bugs were observed again on Friday and agency leaders did not authorize further telework, instructing workers to use personal leave if they refuse to report.
- Acting APHIS officials blamed personal items left in offices for the recurrence and ordered belongings bagged and removed, while employees say they fear bringing bugs home, facing out-of-pocket costs to remediate, and potential retaliation if they file complaints.
- Staff warn that the back-and-forth closures and limits on remote work could disrupt APHIS operations on active threats such as bird flu and New World screwworm and that the episode underscores tension between worker safety and the administration’s in-person work policy.