Google is no stranger to bugs. Its engineers routinely tackle software glitches and security vulnerabilities to keep its platforms safe. Yet, the tech giant recently faced a very different kind of bug problem that no engineer could solve: bed bugs. A serious infestation at its New York office was severe enough that employees were sent home while exterminators worked to get it under control.
Wired reported that this affected Google's Chelsea campus in New York, where employees received an email alerting them to a potential bed bug outbreak. The email reportedly mentioned that there was credible evidence of their presence, and Google was quick to bring in exterminators along with sniffer dogs to confirm the situation.
Employees Asked To Stay Home
According to the report, the email was sent by Google's Environmental Health and Safety team, advising employees to stay at home until the infestation was successfully dealt with. The problem was resolved quickly. Employees received the email on Sunday, but by Monday, they were permitted to return to the office, giving them no respite from Monday blues.
This is amusing, considering Google constantly deals with various bugs affecting its online services. To address those online bugs, Google employs engineers and other specialists who code solutions to make the digital environment safer, as such bugs can be exploited by hackers for nefarious purposes.
But bed bugs, well, they are a real, tangible menace; they exist in the physical world and are notorious troublemakers. They can infiltrate nearly anywhere, are highly adaptable, and have reportedly become resistant to various treatments over time. For those unaware, bed bugs can bite and feed on human blood, much like mosquitoes. Many people have reported infestations in their homes; bed bugs hide well, move quickly, and, considering this incident at Google's offices, pose a significant health and safety concern. They can latch onto employees and be carried to their homes, potentially escalating the infestation.
The ironic part is that no engineer can solve this problem. Only professional exterminators, using methods such as heat treatments, chemical treatments, and more, can effectively handle it.