Trips Places Foods Stories Newsletters
Loading...
Loading...
Loading...
Loading...

No search results found for
“”

Make sure words are spelled correctly.

Try searching for a travel destination.

Places near me Random place

Popular Destinations

  • Paris
  • London
  • New York
  • Berlin
  • Rome
  • Los Angeles
Trips Places Foods Stories Newsletters
Sign In Join
Places near me Random place
All the United States Rhode Island Providence Big Blue Bug

Big Blue Bug

Ironically this massive termite is the mascot for a company that is acclaimed for killing his kind.

Providence, Rhode Island

Added By
mayormammoth
Email
Been Here
Want to go
Added to list
CAPTION
Big Blue Bug   Tom Woodward on Flickr
Big Blue Bug   Jessica on Flickr
Big Blue Bug   Holley St. Germain on Flickr
Big Blue Bug!   blimpcaptain / Atlas Obscura User
Always a fun sight driving through Providence!  
  Calvin the Courageous / Atlas Obscura User
Been Here
Want to go
Added to list

About

Providence's take on the Statue of Liberty, the Big Blue Bug welcomes Rhode Islanders and perplexed visitors alike to the city from the roof of a pest control company that he helped bring to prominence.

The blue, 58-foot-long, fiberglass termite was built in 1980 as a marketing ploy for the company it sits on top of, New England Pest Control (now Big Blue Bug Solutions). Since then, however, it's come to represent not just a pest extermination company, but the character of its city and state. A contest was held to name the insect with the winning idea being "Nibbles Woodaway" (clever, eh?). Nibbles was actually purple when he was first created since that is the actual color of termites under a microscope, however as the paint faded in the sun, he took on his now signature blue hue which he quickly caught on and was never changed.   

What this Big Blue Bug says about the character of Rhode Island is another story altogether, but Rhode Islanders revel in seeing the Bug dressed up for different holidays and seasons (for example, with reindeer antlers for Christmas and Del's frozen lemonade for summer), and seeing the reactions of outsiders questioning why it is again that they came to visit Rhode Island when they first see a giant blue bug greeting them next to the highway.

Related Tags

Giant Animals Insects Roadside Attractions

Know Before You Go

To the left from I-95 north, to the right of I-95 south, right near the I-195 interchange

Community Contributors

Added By

mayormammoth

Edited By

Martin, EricGrundhauser, juli887, blimpcaptain...

  • Martin
  • EricGrundhauser
  • juli887
  • blimpcaptain
  • Calvin the Courageous

Published

February 25, 2015

Edit this listing

Make an Edit
Add Photos
Sources
  • http://www.roadsideamerica.com/story/11598
  • http://www.boston.com/news/nation/articles/2012/04/09/providences_iconic_big_blue_bug_gets_a_makeover/
Big Blue Bug
161 O'Connell Street
Providence, Rhode Island, 02905
United States
41.807068, -71.405879
Visit Website
Get Directions

Nearby Places

Nori the Dragon

Providence, Rhode Island

miles away

Roger Williams Root

Providence, Rhode Island

miles away

Lovecraft Arts & Sciences

Providence, Rhode Island

miles away

Explore the Destination Guide

Photo of Providence

Providence

Rhode Island

Places 21
Stories 1

Nearby Places

Nori the Dragon

Providence, Rhode Island

miles away

Roger Williams Root

Providence, Rhode Island

miles away

Lovecraft Arts & Sciences

Providence, Rhode Island

miles away

Explore the Destination Guide

Photo of Providence

Providence

Rhode Island

Places 21
Stories 1

Related Stories and Lists

10 Big Things in America's Smallest State

List

By Sabrina Imbler

Related Places

  • The Big Meat Ant.

    Augathella, Australia

    Big Meat Ant

    Inspired by the local football team, this giant ant is meant to draw tourists to a tiny Australian town.

  • Another side view

    Upsala, Ontario

    Mosquito Carrying A Man

    A giant metal mosquito prepares to feast.

  • World’s largest prairie chicken.

    Rothsay, Minnesota

    World’s Largest Prairie Chicken

    The statue honors the booming birds Rothsay, Minnesota, is famous for.

  • Tommy the Turtle

    Boissevain, Manitoba

    Tommy the Turtle

    This colossal reptile celebrates the history of the now-defunct Canadian Turtle Derby.

  • Jeongseon, South Korea

    Grasshopper's Dream Cafe

    Along a rail-biking route, giant insects house a two-story restaurant.

  • National Trout Memorial.

    Kalkaska, Michigan

    National Trout Memorial

    This tremendous trout welcomes visitors to a northern Michigan town with a rich fishing history.

  • Tommy the Turtle.

    Bottineau, North Dakota

    Tommy the Turtle

    The world's tallest turtle riding the world's largest snowmobile.

  • Hey there!

    Detroit, Michigan

    Monumental Kitty

    This feline raises a friendly paw at drivers barreling toward the freeway.

Aerial image of Vietnam, displaying the picturesque rice terraces, characterized by their layered, verdant fields.
Atlas Obscura Membership

Become an Atlas Obscura Member


Join our community of curious explorers.

Become a Member

Get Our Email Newsletter

Follow Us

Facebook YouTube TikTok Instagram Pinterest RSS Feed

Get the app

Download the App
Download on the Apple App Store Get it on Google Play
  • All Places
  • Latest Places
  • Most Popular
  • Places to Eat
  • Random
  • Nearby
  • Add a Place
  • Stories
  • Food & Drink
  • Itineraries
  • Lists
  • Video
  • Podcast
  • Newsletters
  • All Trips
  • Family Trip
  • Food & Drink
  • History & Culture
  • Wildlife & Nature
  • FAQ
  • Membership
  • Feedback & Ideas
  • Community Guidelines
  • Product Blog
  • Unique Gifts
  • Work With Us
  • About
  • FAQ
  • Advertise With Us
  • Advertising Guidelines
  • Privacy Policy
  • Cookie Policy
  • Terms of Use
Atlas Obscura

© 2025 Atlas Obscura. All Rights Reserved.