Bed bugs were discovered in an office suite at the Harry S. Truman State Office Building, and some employees have opted since last Friday to use a chance to work from home.
The Office of Administration's Communications Director Brittany Ruess emailed the News Tribune on Wednesday in response to questions and said 160 employees have chosen to work from home, after they were given the option to do so starting last Friday.
"We wanted to give employees this option for their own health, safety and well being," Ruess said.
One bed bug had been discovered in Suite 270 in the Truman Building, after which the OA's Facilities Management, Design and Construction division set traps, and five more bed bugs were found in a three-cubicle office area.
"There is indication the bed bugs were brought into the building, and this is not a major infestation. Detailed vacuuming has been conducted for more than a week," Ruess said.
In Suite 280 - office suites 270 and 280 house the OA's Information Technology Services Division - a manager also discovered bed bugs at her home and notified the OA; however, traps set up around her office did not find any bed bugs.
Ruess said "detailed vacuuming was conducted as a precaution," and a canine inspection of the office did not find any bed bugs.
Dogs inspected both office suites Wednesday - the first inspection to specifically use dogs - and three more bed bugs were found within the three-cubicle area of Suite 270, bringing the total number of bed bugs found in that office to nine. Ruess said the bugs were trapped, and treatment will take place this weekend in both office suites.
"We are working with Rottler for the canine inspection and treatment. We don't know the cost at the moment. We have extended the treatment from a 20-cubicle area to a 25-cubicle area to go way outside the three-cubicle area for staff's well being," Ruess said.
St. Louis-based Rottler Pest & Lawn Solutions has an Ashland location that serves Columbia and Jefferson City.
"We hope employees will be able to return to work on Monday. Human Resources is working with staff who have been working from home. Employees were notified of the situation," Ruess said.
The manager in office Suite 280 who discovered bed bugs at her home had a complete extermination conducted at her home, Ruess said.
To protect from bed bug infestations in offices and other public environments, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency recommends people reduce clutter - which gives the bugs fewer places to hide - keep personal belongings stored away from others', vacuum daily, and be vigilant in break rooms, storage areas and areas with upholstered furniture where people may rest.
"Remember, a single bed bug is not an infestation" - that's only if breeding bed bugs are found, according to the EPA.
If bed bugs are found, the EPA also recommends alerting everyone who works in a building and so people know how it will be handled, which lets people take precautions to protect their homes "as well as limiting rumors and speculation."
On the web:
More information is available at www.epa.gov/bedbugs.