Work Orders Show Mice, Roach Infestation In White House
- 6 years ago
Based on work orders obtained by NBC4 Washington, the White House has had to deal with mice and roaches.
While the White House is an extraordinary building in many ways, its maintenance challenges are no different than the ones faced by other structures.
Through the Freedom of Information Act, NBC4 Washington gained access to numerous White House work orders for the past months and details show problems with mice and cockroaches, among other issues.
"Maintenance workers were asked over the past two years to respond to reports of mice infiltrating the White House Navy mess food service area and the White House Situation Room," it notes. "There were also at least four reported cockroach infestations on the grounds and a complaint of ants in the White House chief of staff's office."
Hundreds of work orders reviewed by the media outlet revealed that redecoration and maintenance requests ranged from small to big. One was for a new toilet seat in the Oval Office bathroom, along with a note, "after hours please."
Back in August, ABC News had reported that many updates were done during President Trump's 17-day Bedminster vacation.
The president's social media director Dan Scavino Jr. tweeted a photo of a step ladder in the Oval Office at the time with the caption, "Renovations underway at the @WhiteHouse. One hour after Air Force One is wheels up the Oval Office is empty. West Wing is clearing out now."
These renovations reportedly included an overhaul of the 27-year-old heating and cooling system, Oval Office and West Wing refurbishments, and ceiling repairs, among other projects.
Two former General Services Administration officials told NBC4 that "White House work orders are delicate and tricky to handle because the complex is a historic site."
It's also an expansive structure with the Whitehouse.gov noting, "there are 132 rooms, 35 bathrooms, and 6 levels in the Residence. There are also 412 doors, 147 windows, 28 fireplaces, 8 staircases, and 3 elevators."
While the White House is an extraordinary building in many ways, its maintenance challenges are no different than the ones faced by other structures.
Through the Freedom of Information Act, NBC4 Washington gained access to numerous White House work orders for the past months and details show problems with mice and cockroaches, among other issues.
"Maintenance workers were asked over the past two years to respond to reports of mice infiltrating the White House Navy mess food service area and the White House Situation Room," it notes. "There were also at least four reported cockroach infestations on the grounds and a complaint of ants in the White House chief of staff's office."
Hundreds of work orders reviewed by the media outlet revealed that redecoration and maintenance requests ranged from small to big. One was for a new toilet seat in the Oval Office bathroom, along with a note, "after hours please."
Back in August, ABC News had reported that many updates were done during President Trump's 17-day Bedminster vacation.
The president's social media director Dan Scavino Jr. tweeted a photo of a step ladder in the Oval Office at the time with the caption, "Renovations underway at the @WhiteHouse. One hour after Air Force One is wheels up the Oval Office is empty. West Wing is clearing out now."
These renovations reportedly included an overhaul of the 27-year-old heating and cooling system, Oval Office and West Wing refurbishments, and ceiling repairs, among other projects.
Two former General Services Administration officials told NBC4 that "White House work orders are delicate and tricky to handle because the complex is a historic site."
It's also an expansive structure with the Whitehouse.gov noting, "there are 132 rooms, 35 bathrooms, and 6 levels in the Residence. There are also 412 doors, 147 windows, 28 fireplaces, 8 staircases, and 3 elevators."