There are several contenders for the title of World's Largest Bug, but the one on the roof of New England Pest Control in Providence dwarfs any competition.
It's a big blue termite, 58 feet long, 928 times actual termite size. Named "Nibbles Woodaway" in a local radio contest, the bug is beloved by the people of Providence and by New England Pest Control, which uses Nibbles as its logo. The company dresses the bug for holidays: Uncle Sam hat for July 4, witch's hat and broom for Halloween, red blinking nose and antlers for Christmas (His Santa get-up, suggested one tipster, includes a large beard that appears like a gush of white vomit).
An engaged couple once wanted to get married next to the bug, but NEPC nixed it for insurance reasons.
Built in 1980 at a cost of $20,000, Nibbles is also the only hurricane-proof giant bug in the world (Providence is a very hurricane-conscious town).
"The whole roof would have to blow off before Nibbles would blow off," explains NEPC's General Manager, proudly. During our visit, the roof was being redone around the base of the giant termite. Nibbles gets refurbished and repainted regularly, to guarantee his vibrant blueness will catch the eye of every passerby.
On occasion, Nibbles has been taken down for promo purposes, even touring the state and venturing up into Massachusetts. But he can usually be spotted at his rooftop nest in Providence, easily visible from the interstate.
David Pontes, General Manager of New England Pest Control,
waits for the next hurricane to challenge his beloved blue
