Iconic 'Big Blue Bug' Vandalized, Prompting Outpouring of Support

Photo provided via Brian Goldman. 

PROVIDENCE, R.I. - What began as a disappointing situation involving a huge blue termite, graffiti and a vandal on the run turned into an example of a community coming together to support a local business. 

The iconic Big Blue Bug, the termite mascot of Big Blue Bug Solutions, was recently vandalized with graffiti. A man identified as a suspect in the crime, Nathan Beaumier, has turned himself in to the police, WRPI.com reports.

The bug, named Nibbles Woodway, overlooks the I-95 highway. The vandalism was found on the morning of June 5, when mechanic Mike Mitchell arrived at work. 

"Our initial reaction was complete disappointment," said Brian Goldman, Big Blue Bug Solutions manager. "I think all of our employees were disappointed that somebody could do something like that. It's certainly not something we wanted to have to deal with heading into our busy season."

However, the employees at Big Blue Bug were able to find a silver lining in the situation. Goldman said the phones were "ringing off the hook" with support from the community, which raised morale throughout the company. The case received a decent amount of media attention, partially because the mascot is well-known and can be seen in the film "Dumb and Dumber."

Since the graffiti was found, Goldman said the authorities have done a "fantastic job," and dozens of local businesses offered to pitch in and help remove the paint. Sherwin Williams donated the paint that was used, and Dennis Moffitt Painting provided the actual service of covering it up. An employee at Dennis Moffitt was actually familiar with the bug since he had helped paint it in the past. 

"What this situation proved is that we may not have even fully realized how much Nibbles Woodway means to our State," Goldman said. "We even had former Rhode Islanders from Iowa and other areas of the country reaching out to us to show their support. What was originally seen as disappointing turned into a morale booster because it validated what our company means to our region."