I delighted in reporting the demise of the mice that frequented our area; however, a new threat is on the horizon. Today for the first time in a month or so it really rained. We didn’t get a friendly little sprinkle as it has been doing off and on over the past week; instead it was, in the terminology of the South, “a frog strangler.” The rains came and did a fine job settling the dust and the ever present smog. However, the rains served as some sort of summons in which the water called to the hordes and the masses to emerge.

Rains here do not just fall with an end in mind; they bring the renewal of life in many various shapes. Tonight the rain called out the flying termites. I have heard that the short rains in November really lure these winged beasts out from their underground lairs and that tonight was naught but a preview. Whatever the case, we are going to have difficulty on our hands.

Shortly after the rains ceased I saw the first termite alight in the community house where we had gathered to eat. It naturally posed no harm as none of them do, but there are a few on the team who are petrified of flying insects, especially those with large wings. These termites appear to have two sets of wings, each wing about double the size of its little body. Once the creature stumbled into the house there was all manner of screaming and running about, even worse than at the onset of the mice.

I write knowing full well that there is no such avenue to dispense of the termites as was for the mice. However, I write also with the knowledge given to me, that come November they appear in droves of Biblical proportions. The times now we shall enjoy and celebrate because soon enough we will have half of our team in bunkers avoiding these flying devils.

According to the boys that live just down the street, the termites can be eaten and have the flavor of a lemon. Mind you, when they appear in their mighty numbers, we shall experiment to find out if in fact this is true. From what I understand, it is important to take off the wings so they do not get caught in the throat. Moreover, I wouldn’t mind frying them with a bit of seasoning so they would be a bit crunchy and more flavorful. It appears that our only ally in combating these will be our friendly gecko that had taken up residence in the corner of the house, but even he has a limit to how many he can eat.