Big Blue Bug Solutions

Big Blue Bug Solutions is an extermination business located in Providence, Rhode Island that services southeastern New England.[2][3] The company is best known for its mascot, Nibbles Woodaway (also known as the Big Blue Bug), a giant blue termite that stands atop its office next to I-95 in Providence.[4] The company provides pest control services to both residential and commercial properties, and is known for using ecologically safe, pet-friendly products, and has been recognized for promoting the use of integrated pest management in schools to protect student safety.[5] It is also known for aiding Providence during the city's rat epidemic,[6] and was an early adopter of converting trucks to run on natural gas.[7] Big Blue Bug Solutions also sponsors numerous Little League baseball teams throughout Rhode Island. Originally named New England Pest Control, the company changed its name to Big Blue Bug Solutions in 2012, highlighting its famous mascot.[8]

Big Blue Bug Solutions
TypePrivate
IndustryPest control
HeadquartersProvidence, Rhode Island
Number of locations
3[1] (2018)
Websitewww.bigbluebug.com

Historically, having an insect infestation was considered shameful, and pest control companies generally advertised that their exterminators would arrive in unmarked vehicles so as to ensure that neighbors would not realize that a residence had a pest problem. Big Blue Bug Solutions was one of the first companies (by some accounts the outright first) to mark all of its vehicles and attempt to remove the stigma from having a pest problem. Today, nearly all exterminators use marked (rather than unmarked) vehicles.

Due to the celebrity of the Big Blue Bug and the building's location at a high-traffic portion of the highway (near Thurbers Avenue Curve), many organizations request to have their banners hung in front of the Bug. Big Blue Bug Solutions will let non-profit organizations hang their banners on a first-come, first-served basis (generally, groups need to file a request at least two years in advance). Some of the many organizations that have placed banners in front of the Bug include: Make-A-Wish Foundation, Special Olympics, American Heart Association, and Girl Scouts of the USA.

Notable employees

Tony DeJesus began his career at New England Pest Control twenty-nine years ago as a service technician, and subsequently worked his way up to his current position of Service Manager.[2][9] He is a nationally recognized expert in the field of structural pest management.[2][10] DeJesus has been a keynote presenter at numerous pest control conferences throughout the United States, and conducts his own training program for the Rhode Island Department of Health and Division of Agriculture. Every Saturday morning at 7am, DeJesus hosts The New England Pest Control Show on News/Talk 630 WPRO, during which he answers listener questions about pest control, although the show occasionally delves into other topics, such as baseball. (DeJesus is a renowned expert on the New York Yankees.)[2]

Clarence Cornell and Darryll – Clarence was the official handler of Darryll, a dog trained to detect termites and other insects. The pair were covered by a wide variety of media outlets, and were noted for their perfect record of pest detection.[11][12] Upon turning 8, Darryll retired to live as Clarence's pet.[11]

Notes
  1. Company website
  2. New England Pest Control web page: “.” URL accessed on June 24, 2007
  3. Barbara Carton, Metamorphosis, Wall Street Journal, July 20, 2000, at A1.
  4. Rhode Island Exterminator Gets A Boost From Iconic Mascot, The Big Blue Bug, Wall Street Journal, May 24, 2001, at B4.
  5. John J. Monahan, Schools Opt For Safe Pest Control, Worcester Telegram & Gazette, December 16, 1996, at B1.
  6. Gregory Smith, Battle Against Rats To Escalate, Providence Journal-Bulletin, November 28, 2003.
  7. New Technology: Gassing Up For The Future, Pest Control Technology, Volume 66, Issue 10, October 7, 1998, at 80.
  8. http://www.bigbluebug.com/about-us
  9. Robert Higgins, East Providence Man Bug-Eyed Over Exterminator Career, Providence Journal-Bulletin, January 8, 2001.
  10. Edward Ortiz, Bedbugs Really Do Bite, And They're Making A Big Comeback, Providence Journal-Bulletin, January 5, 2004.
  11. Kimberly Shearin, Termite-Sniffing Dog Detects Pests By Smell And Hearing, Houston Chronicle, Nov. 24, 1988, at G1.
  12. Pooches Perform Jobs That No One Else Can, Worcester Telegram & Gazette, February 26, 1989, at B8.

Official website

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