Readers React: Problems with rat poison

On the surface, it appears the maker of the rat poison d-CON has finally made a smart and humane decision. But reading this article further, we learn that the poisons will still be available for use in agriculture and by licensed pest control operators. (“Maker of powerful rat poison will cease production in July,” May 30)

Therein lies the problem.

I live in a town-home community that employs — as many other housing complex owners do — such a “pest control” company. Bait traps are placed at each building, from which the rats eat the poison, then wait for a horrible end by bleeding to death internally.

I had one rat struggle onto my patio and die right before me. Chances are that occurs often, with children, pets, birds and other wildlife then picking up or ingesting (as wild animals will do) the poison from the rats.

This action is a meaningless gesture. I hope people wake up to that fact and demand real change in the law regarding the use of such toxins.

Sylvia Lewis Gunning

Thousand Oaks