She indicated that they were not sure who was responsible for introducing them, or how long they had actually been infesting the White House. She did indicate, however, that the general opinion circulating around the building was that they had infested the Lincoln Bedroom on the second floor. Feelings were that Lincoln had brought in "wood ticks" while chopping firewood, and that they had eventually invited bed bugs to spend a night in the "Lincoln Bed," and they had decided to stay.
Or, perhaps, during the Truman administration, much refurbishing was completed, and, as a show of his austerity, many of the furnishings were purchased at the Washington Salvation Army Thrift Store.
The operation was labeled as "BUGBEGONE" as it was listed on all of the overtime slips received by the Pay Office located in the basement of the White House. A small flag was flown on the White House lawn, upside down, to signal the "all clear" to the Obamas and their 35 car entourage upon their arrival at the White House.