Termites!

Often times I find that my child will zero in on a topic and engross herself within it, becoming oddly obsessed. The latest topic is termites; which she refers to as "carpenter bugs".

We were watching some show on the Discovery channel where they focused on insects. Termites were brought up and subsequently what termites do and eat was uncovered. She was mesmerized.

Later, at bedtime:
her: "Mom, you know those carpenter bugs that eat wood?"
me: "Oh, you mean the termites we saw on TV? What about 'em?"
her: "Well, I'm worried they're gonna get in our house and eat it!"
me: "Our house is made of brick, termites don't eat bricks, they eat wood. Don't worry about this kiddo, we're safe."
her: "Um mom?" She pointed to the wood floor while her eyes bugged out of her head.
me: "I know we have a wood floor. But, it's surrounded by a brick walls, the termites would have to eat through the brick to get to the wood floor. However, like I said earlier, termites don't eat brick so we're cool!"

Things quieted down for a moment. She snuggled into bed and I read her a story. Then she shot up suddenly.

"Mom! Pop Pop has a neighbor right next door to him that lives in a LOG CABIN! His WHOLE HOUSE IS MADE OF WOOD!!"
me: "I'm sure he's taken measures to keep termites away, Salem. That's what people do when they have wooden houses, they get termite protection."
her: "I need to warn that neighbor about the bugs! Next time when I'm at Pop Pop's house, I'm going to go over there and tell those neighbors they need to watch out for the carpenter bugs!"
me: "Why don't you just pass along your concerns to Pop Pop? Then he can warn the neighbor for you."

This made her settle down a little. She shook her head in compliance and finally got comfortable in her bed. I turned the lights out and said goodnight but I could hear her in the darkness of her bedroom whispering to herself about these "carpenter bugs".