Crossword Genius

Can't heater release hot and cold insect killer? (8)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

anteater

I'm a little stuck... Click here to teach me more about this clue!

'cold insect killer?' is the definition.
The definition and answer can be both animals as well as being singular nouns.
Maybe they are linked in a way I don't understand?

'can't heater release hot' is the wordplay.
'can't' becomes 'ant' (I can't explain this - if you can you should give a lot more credence to this answer).
'release' indicates named letters should be taken away (letters are released or freed).
'hot' becomes 'h' (abbreviation eg on taps).
'heater' with 'h' removed is 'eater'.
'ant'+'eater'='ANTEATER'

'and' is the link.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for anteater that I've seen before include "One's looking for workers" , "Pangolin, for example" , "animal (this one?)" , "Scaly insectivore" , "Sticky-tongued mammal" .)

I've seen this clue in the Sydney Morning Herald.
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