KINGMAN – The bed bug merry go round keeps spinning at the Mohave County Superintendent’s Office in the Administration building in downtown Kingman. Discovery of another one of the pests prompted the closure of the Superintendent suite on the third floor on Monday, March 24, the second time that the office has been shuttered since late last year.
Former School Superintendent Mike File first closed the office and directed staff to work remotely following the December 16 discovery of a bug in the suite staffed by a handful of employees. County officials confirmed a second bug was located in the suite three days later, and a few more after that.
The county engaged its pest control contractor and employed mitigation and monitoring measures with no more bugs detected for nearly six weeks. Another bug discovery was confirmed on January 24. The county issued a news release four days later making no mention of bugs while indicating the office closure and staff transfer was “maintenance” related.
County Risk Manager Joe Dorner said Mohave Pest Control resumed its mitigation campaign, which includes checking traps for the bugs. He said that most staff members were placed back in the suite on March 4 once the space appeared to be bug free.
“Subsequently, on 3/24/2025 we discovered a single live bed bug in a trap,” Dorner said by email. “As a result of this discovery, we have returned the School Superintendent staff to the prior alternative work site arrangement until further notice.”
Dorner said mitigation and maintenance efforts continue indefinitely.
