Sacramento State Building Faces Bed Bug Crisis as Return-to-Office Looms

Timing is everything—and right now, Sacramento’s state workers are dealing with spectacularly bad timing. The California Department of Education discovered bed bugs on the third floor of its downtown headquarters just days before a major state push to get employees back into offices. Most of the department’s staff are now working remotely through July 3 while pest control crews tackle an infestation that experts say won’t disappear anytime soon.

Here’s the thing about bed bugs: they’re stubborn. Really stubborn. Ryan Scott, a pest control specialist at Next Level Pest Control, was blunt about the reality: treating a commercial building this size takes multiple weeks in the best-case scenario. These tiny insects excel at hiding in cracks, crevices, and furniture—the kind of spots you can’t just spray and walk away from. Their bites leave itchy red welts, and while severe allergic reactions are rare, the discomfort and psychological toll are very real. The Department of General Services is overseeing the response with licensed pest control contractors, and inspectors are checking whether the problem extends beyond the concentrated area on the third floor.

The discovery lands at an awkward moment politically. California’s expanded four-day return-to-office mandate takes effect imminently for many state workers. While the Department of Education isn’t subject to that specific requirement, the incident raises legitimate questions about workplace safety and building maintenance. SEIU Local 100 President Anica Walls made the position clear:“State workers should never be forced to work in unsafe or unsanitary conditions.”She pointed to this as emblematic of broader health and safety concerns workers face.

What makes this story particularly sharp is the larger context. State office buildings have sat partially empty for years during remote work arrangements. That extended downtime, combined with deferred maintenance, creates conditions where pests can flourish. Now, as the state pushes employees back to their desks, workers are rightfully questioning whether those buildings are actually ready for them. A bed bug infestation isn’t just a pest problem—it’s a symptom of deeper infrastructure challenges Sacramento needs to address before workers walk back through those doors.

The Department of Education says it will continue following pest control expert recommendations to maintain a safe workplace. That’s the right call. But it also underscores a reality: you can’t mandate people back to the office without first ensuring the office is actually fit for work.