Bed bugs disrupt Forsyth County Courthouse, more than 300 cases postponed
Courtroom 308 was emptied after possible bed bugs were spotted, forcing more than 300 Forsyth County cases to be continued.
Courtroom 308 at the Forsyth County Courthouse was evacuated after possible bed bugs were found, and more than 300 cases were pushed back as officials scrambled to clear the room and reset the docket.
The disruption hit on Thursday, July 9, 2026, after someone in the gallery appeared to have bed bugs on clothing, prompting court staff to tell people to leave the courtroom and say they would be contacted with new court dates. One count put the number of delayed matters at 320 scheduled cases in Courtroom 308. The courtroom reopened Friday, July 10, and cases returned to the calendar.
The shutdown reached beyond a routine scheduling hiccup. A scheduled appearance involving suspects charged in the Leinbach Park shooting was among the matters affected, underscoring how a pest problem in one courtroom can ripple through criminal proceedings, witnesses, attorneys and families waiting for hearings to move forward.
Pest-control experts said bed bugs often travel by hitchhiking on clothing, shoes, purses, luggage and other belongings, which makes a courthouse especially vulnerable because of the constant flow of visitors. Heavy foot traffic, packed waiting areas and shared seating can give the insects plenty of chances to spread if they are carried in before anyone notices.
Experts also said the most effective response usually requires professional treatment. Heat treatment is commonly used, and temperatures at or above 120 degrees begin killing bed bugs, while around 140 degrees may eliminate an infestation. That makes quick intervention important, especially in a public building where staff, jurors and court users move through the same spaces every day.
Forsyth County Public Health said it had not been contacted about the courthouse situation and said it is not responsible for handling bed bug issues there. The department said courthouse officials should use a licensed pest control company instead, as the county works to keep the building open and keep the backlog of delayed cases from growing further.
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