A bed bug infestation has reportedly affected the US Department of Agriculture's George Washington Carver Center in Beltsville, Maryland.
The building houses the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS), the federal agency tasked with combating invasive pests.
According to a NOTUS report, bed bugs were first discovered in mid-May.
USDA sent APHIS employees home for several days to telework while the building was fumigated.
Upon returning, employees reported sickness from noxious fumes caused by the treatment, leading to a second telework period.
Bed bugs reappeared last week.
This time, USDA has not authorized further telework.
Employees who do not wish to report to the office have been asked to use their personal vacation time.
USDA's position is that the resurgence is due to 'insufficient compliance regarding personal items' left in offices.
APHIS's acting chief operating officer, Carson Hawley, instructed employees to place all their personal belongings into garbage bags and take them out of the building to allow for proper pest treatment.
