Franklin Pest Solutions Sponsors Two 2026 Bug Bowl Interns
Franklin Pest Solutions is proud to be sponsoring two interns at the 2026 Purdue University Bug Bowl taking place on Saturday, April 18. The two student interns are 21-year old Aster Barajas along with 21-year old Aiden Bemis who is returning for the second year.
Aster Barajas
Barajas is from Hammond, Indiana where their love of bugs started early. Having grown up with computers, they started looking on the internet for information about bugs where they realized that so many people not only loved bugs but that they could pursue a career in entomology. Plus, they found bugs to be soothing.
“A lot of things happened when I was young that were challenging but insects have always been around,” Barajas said. “They brought me comfort in tumultuous times,”
Barajas is a senior majoring in Entomology with a minor in Natural Resources and Environmental Sciences, making them a natural for the Bug Bowl internship prior to applying to graduate school for entomology or agroecology.
“My plan includes insects and a future decorated with things in the world that are often too small to notice,” they said. “My favorite bug right now is the Blue Orchard bee. It’s so cute and comes in such fun iridescent blue and olive colors. Bugs are really beautiful creatures if you take the time to look at them.”
Barajas’s interests include soil sciences that they say will make them a better scientist and help in understanding the environment. “At Bug Bowl, I’m most excited about seeing the people and helping to educate everyone about the wonders of the world just under our feet.”
After Bug Bowl, Barajas will return to work at the insect biodiversity and diagnostics lab where they have been working.
Aiden Bemis
Bemis is from Middlebury, Indiana where he will be graduating this spring with a degree in accounting. Following graduation, he plans to attend the MS Accounting program through the Daniels School of Business at Purdue and will take the CPA exams the following year.
In the meantime, Bemis is looking forward to Bug Bowl and has helped spread the word about the upcoming event where he enjoys seeing how several departments come together to put on a big production.
“Working as a Bug Bowl intern has shown me that bugs are a great way to bring the community together,” he said. “I love how they spark curiosity in people of all ages. It makes science accessible and fun.”
In sparse spare time, Bemis and his fiancée have been training for a half marathon. During long runs, he has also noticed new bugs out buzzing around.
“I will always have a soft spot for fireflies,” Bemis said. “They are such a nostalgic part of Indiana summers and a great example of how insects can create a sense of wonder.”
This is the fifth year Franklin has sponsored Bug Bowl interns.
“Being in pest control is all about balance and Bug Bowl is a great way to learn about that. Humans and nature will always have to be in harmony,” Janelle Iaccino, known as The Bug Girl with Franklin said. “Finding the right balance so you’re not disturbing the ecosystem is critical and we can have a lot of fun seeing natural wonder along the way.”
Bug Bowl offers an array of vibrant interactive activities for the entire family that includes petting bugs at a live bug zoo, visiting the Cockroach Colosseum and becoming familiar with favorite insects. The Bug Bowl art show is always a favorite and is expected to generate more than 1,200 original drawings of bugs from kids from around the area.
Bug Bowl started as a cockroach race more than 30 years ago by a Purdue entomology professor. The event is part of the Purdue College of Agriculture Spring Fest each year.
