Evolution is a funny thing – that’s an interesting way to start a blog about termites and ants, isn’t it? But today we’re discussing the alarming similarities between these two tiny insects. And how else can you explain this outcome? That’s evolution. Centuries or millennia ago, ants and termites may have had a common ancestor. And now; we’re faced with two different critters who look the same, but act remarkably different.

In boxing, there are so many weight classes that it can be difficult to compare boxers – how can the power of a welterweight match that of a light heavyweight? Therefore, we use the phrase “pound-for-pound” to describe boxers in relation to one another. So if a boxer is considered “pound-for-pound” the best, he’s the best boxer in the world, regardless of weight.

Reading stories about the rising cost of living in San Francisco always makes my head spin – how could it cost so much just to live somewhere? We don’t have those kinds of problems here in Bakersfield. While San Franciscans will pay thousands of dollars for tiny apartments, you get plenty of breathing room for a fraction of the cost here. And we have crazy amenities here like “pools” and “backyards.”

So you think you have termites: don’t panic. This is a problem, but it’s a very slow moving one. Termites are tireless eaters who will consume your wood 24/7, but they’re also very small. It’s going to take them some time to cause significant damage.

Termites are one of the most insidious pests out there, in a world that is full of gross and bothersome bugs. While other pests might be more disgusting (bed bugs) or hazardous to your health (roaches), none can match the termite in terms of sheer destruction. A termite infestation that’s left undeterred will destroy your home’s lumber, and they’ll do it around-the-clock. Termites don’t need to sleep and there are hundreds (perhaps thousands) of them – which means you’re dealing with a non-stop eating machine.

There’s a kid’s 3-D movie ride at Walt Disney World based on the hit Disney movie “A Bug’s Life,” and it features a walking, talking, acid-spitting termite named the Termite-ator. This is obviously a poorly worded pun based on Arnold Schwarzenegger’s famous “Terminator” character, but I don’t think it’s a bad comparison. In many ways, termites are exactly like the original Terminator from 1984; relentless, unyielding, never resting and constantly on a path of rampant destruction. And also extremely evil (OK, that last part may just be my opinion).

There are few pest problems that are as problematic and irritating as a termite infestation. For starters, termites are relentless: they will eat all the wood they can get their mouths on, without ever needing to stop for sleep or rest. They’ll essentially be chewing up your lumber 24/7. And then, when it comes time to evict them from your home, you’re usually left with one option: structural fumigation. Which means you’ll have to relocate your family for a few days, remove all medicine from the house, and find a temporary home for your pets.

Restaurants hold a very high standard of cleanliness; they have to because of the strict regulations by the government over food safety. Not only are there strict regulations but restaurants also have to stay clean and pest free to ensure that customers receive the best experience possible. One sighting of an ant or cockroach and the restaurant can risk loosing customers or even be shut down by the health department.

Bakersfield has a perfect climate that attracts all kinds of pests, but especially termites. With an average temperature around 65 degrees and average precipitation of 5.5 inches, termites can thrive for decades as long as they have wood to feed off of. With extensive housing developments popping up around the city, there are now more and more homes (and wood) for termites to infest.

There are insects that we encounter that create huge problems and extensive damage, which take specialists to manage. Termites are one of those insects and termite control is a service that only certain pest control companies can say they specialize in. These insects can cause extensive damage and they thrive almost anywhere but especially in Mediterranean and arid climates just like Visalia. Termites both eat and live within dead plant material like wood. This becomes a problem when you realize that most homes in the U.S. are structured around a wooden frame.