Want a Reason to Not Rake the Leaves? Science! But I am NOT so Sure

Hey, I am all for NOT doing some things. Raking leaves is high on the list. Rake them and they just come back. UGH. But now The National Wildlife Federation is encouraging people to leave the leaves. They say the dead leaves are important habitats for all kinds of little wildlife. Butterflies, salamanders, chipmunks, box turtles, toads, shrews, earthworms, and other creatures live, lay eggs in or eat from leaves.  HUMMM…other creatures? That is my issue…the other creatures.

OK, but don’t fleas and ticks also like to live in that habitat?  I have a dog. Fleas are a pain, and I have a hate of Lyme disease and its co-infections, I don’t want of those little blood suckers setting up shop in my life again. According to the Maine CDC on how to protect my world from ticks…I DO need to rake my leaves.

While I appreciate the National Wildlife Federations stance, for me and my yard, the leaves will have to go.

AND if I had to I would rake. But I am lucky.  They way my home and yard happen to be, most of the leaves blow away from my yard.  What little raking I have is not to much of a project...and that is a good thing.