SALON

Monday, Apr 9, 2012 10:00 PM UTC

Providence’s iconic big blue bug gets a makeover

By

Topics: From the Wires,

Providence's iconic big blue bug gets a makeoverA workman maneuvers near a giant blue termite, an iconic landmark for New England Pest Control, perched on the company's office in Providence, R.I., Monday, April 9, 2012. The company is renaming itself Big Blue Bug Solutions after its corporate namesake. Company owner Stephan Goldman said the new name makes sense because the termite is better known than his business. (AP Photo/David Klepper)(Credit: AP)

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (AP) — After 32 years of surveying Interstate 95 from his perch atop a pest control business, Rhode Island’s big blue bug is getting a promotion — and a makeover to go with it.

The towering termite named Nibbles Woodaway now sports a necktie, a sartorial step up befitting his new stature as corporate namesake. New England Pest Control owner Stephan Goldman said Monday he’s changing his company’s name to Big Blue Bug Solutions to honor the blue behemoth that long ago achieved iconic status in Rhode Island.

“Everyone knows the big blue bug. The bug is more famous than the name of my company,” Goldman said after unveiling Nibbles’ new neckwear, a spotted tie that nicely matches his compound eyes.

The name change comes as two of Goldman’s sons prepare to take over the business that his father started in 1935. Nibbles arrived in 1980, after the company moved to its present location south of downtown Providence and was looking for a way to advertise.

At 4,000 pounds and easily visible from a busy stretch of interstate, Nibbles makes a convincing pitchman. The big bug made the list of quirky attractions compiled by “Roadside America” and scored a cameo in the movie “Dumb and Dumber.” Couples have gotten engaged under the big bug. One woman had Nibbles tattooed on her leg.

“You ask anyone — where is the blue bug? And they know where it is,” said Providence Mayor Angel Taveras, who rode a lift to the company’s roof on Monday to get a close look at Nibbles.

Nibbles’ appearance changes through the year, boasting reindeer antlers at Christmas, Uncle Sam’s red, white and blue top hat on July 4, or a baseball cap from the minor league Pawtucket Red Sox. The 58-foot-long insect is built from steel and fiberglass.

Nibbles was supposed to be purple, which Goldman said is the actual color of termites when viewed under a microscope. But the sun faded the paint to blue. Good thing, too: Big purple bug doesn’t sound as good, he said.

Goldman initially worried that Rhode Island residents would call Nibbles an eyesore but said he’s never received any complaints. He said one woman told him she made sure to include a ride past the enormous insect whenever taking her young children to the doctor or dentist.

“They wouldn’t want to go, but she’d say ‘We can drive by the big blue bug on the way home,’” he said. “And that did it.”

David Klepper

More David Klepper.

Next Article

You Might Also Like

More Related Stories

Featured Slide Shows

Gripping photos: The people of the Turkey protests (slideshow)

close X
  • Share on Twitter
  • Share on Facebook
  • Thumbnails
  • Fullscreen
  • 1 of 11
  • The protests take on a festive element as police forces move out of the park and square. Wearing a gas mask, this young man dances to traditional Turkish music in front of Taksim Square’s Ataturk Monument.

  • In Gezi Park since March 31st, this protester, originally caught off-guard by the Government’s teargas and water cannons, went out and bought a Russian army mask from WWII, preparing for what was to come.

  • This rambunctious boy seems to be enjoying the chaos. After taking this picture he threw a stone at the already destroyed building in the background.

  • Forming a line, the police face off directly with protesters in Taksim Square. After a while, they retreated and there was a general cheer – a back-and-forth dance that has been common since the beginning of this protest.

  • An elderly woman in Gezi Park reads the news. The tent community occupying the park was violently destroyed on June 16th.

  • Many different groups had set up booths to promote their cause in Taksim Square and Gezi Park. Standing in front of one, this man waves his flag while posing with conviction.

  • Many home-remedies are used to minimize the effects of tear gas. This woman has put a milky solution on her face, removing her mask after the tear gas dissipated. Before sunrise, the police came again for another round of teargasing.

  • People capitalize on the uprising -- selling flags, beer, gas masks, sky lanterns and spray paint to name just a few of the popular items.

  • On Monday morning, June 11, the police execute a strong offensive. Many plain-clothed police officers, like the ones seen here, clash with protesters in the side streets away from the main stand-off in Taksim.

  • The authorities seem to be most aggressive in the night, pushing protesters away from the square and park. After being teargassed this young woman catches her breath with other protesters on Siraselviler Street.

  • Recent Slide Shows

  • Share on Twitter
  • Share on Facebook
  • Thumbnails
  • Fullscreen
  • 1 of 11

Related Videos

More Related Stories

Comments are not enabled for this story.

follow salon

Most Read

Popular on Reddit

links from salon.com

From Around the Web

Presented by Scribol
listener_new_rect The Listener: "We Are All Completely Beside Ourselves": Growing up primate

Recommendations