Letter: Don't be tolerant, eradicate that rat
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Sir: Your article 'Get ready for Son of Super Rat' (4 April) contained an inaccuracy. A brown rat cannot become resistant or tolerant to anticoagulant poison in its lifetime. It is either born tolerant to a rodenticide or it is susceptible. If a male that is tolerant breeds with a susceptible female, 50 per cent of the young will be susceptible to a particular rodenticide and 50 per cent would be tolerant.
On reading Wendy Barker's letter (6 April) on whether she should do anything regarding the brown rat in her garden, the answer is yes, as her rat may be a tolerant female and one of the 50 per cent or so that carry Weil's disease, which is only passed by the female to her young. Also, under the 1949 Prevention of Damage by Pests Act, it is an offence to harbour rats on your property and not to take reasonable measures to eradicate them.
Yours sincerely,
J. E. FELGATE
Pest Control Officer
Bredgar, Kent
(Photograph omitted)
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments