I've just had a visit from pest control

You know - those people who take the role

Of addressing nocturnal visits by mice

(And maybe other things not seen as "nice").

It seems another tenant made a complaint

About an absence of rodent restraint.

I live in a house two centuries old

And frankly would be surprised to be told

That it was free from timorous wee beasties

That sally forth nightly in search of  "feasties"

When darkness makes them feel secure

(Perhaps they think that the risks are fewer?)

Now I'm living with a couple of traps

Left behind by the pest control chaps

Due for weekly checks ahead

To see if they turn up anything dead.

I can't say that i enjoy the thought

That some rodent explorer might be caught

Merely because of its need to survive

By this plan to catch them - dead or alive.

If any mouse can climb three floors

In search of food to fill furry paws

Then it seems a cruel price to pay

To have its little life end this way.

I have this feeling that in every house

There's to be found a resident mouse!

So keep food wrapped - be a tidy-upper

And they'll go elsewhere in search of supper !

You'll have no visits from pest control chaps

Seeking to place their various traps.

Prevention is always better than cure -

.And irritations in life are better when fewer !!

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