Scientists Confirm: Stop Raking Your Leaves!

If you want butterflies and song birds in your yard come spring, put down the rake and walk away. One chore down, many more to go.

The National Wildlife Federation says that even if your yard looks like an eyesore, there are more environmental benefits to not raking your leaves.

Mulching your leaves is much better for your lawn and can save you money in the long run. Mulched leaves is a natural benefit to your lawn and garden and will save you money on mulch in the spring.

Naturalist at the National Wildlife Federation, David Mizejewski, says that butterflies, song birds, salamanders, chipmunks, box turtles, toads, shrews, and earthworms all benefit from the leaves being on the ground. "Over winter months, a lot of butterflies and moths as pupa or caterpillar are in the leaf litter, and when you rake it up you are removing the whole population of butterflies you would otherwise see in your yard."

There are plenty of insects in the leaf litter for song birds and they will remember your yard come spring.

So whether you want butterflies and song birds in your yard, or you just hate that fall chore, NWF says to stop raking up those leaves.