‘Leaf’ Them Alone! Bangor Officials Say If You Don’t Want To Rake Them, Leave The Leaves Where They Are-They’re Good For Bugs!

While most people think that once the leaves fall in the autumn, the best thing to do is clean them up and dispose of them, there are also those who follow the school of thought that you should just leave the leaves where they land.

Read More: What Not To Include In Leaf Collection, Bangor And Brewer

While you might assume this way of thinking is rooted in laziness, science actually backs it up!

a red rake laying on top of a pile of leaves

In fact, the City of Bangor is also getting behind the effort. While they will have crews hitting the city roads and sidewalks with giant vacuums that will such up the fallen foliage, they're also encouraging those who don't want to rake, to just let things be.

They posted on their Facebook page, that leaving the leaves right where they are, or moving them around trees and garden beds could actually help the little ecosystem in your yard.

a close up of leaves on the ground with trees in the background

"Fallen leaves serve as overwintering habitat for many butterfly and moth species, and as insulation for plant roots and the soil, where other pollinators like bumblebees tend to overwinter. If leaving them where they are isn't an option, you can also rake them into garden beds or around tree bases. Leaving dead plants in the garden standing over the winter is also helpful since various native bees hibernate in hollow stems."

a close up of a leaf on the ground

This is in keeping with Bangor becoming the first  "Bee City" affiliate in the state of Maine, which was made official in 2024.

According to the folks over at Bangor Beautiful, along with practice like reducing harmful chemicals and emphasising programs like No Mow May, the goal of a Bee City is to ultimately help the nation's bee population.

yellow and black bee on yellow flower

"Bee City USA® and Bee Campus USA work to galvanize communities to sustain pollinators, in particular the more than 3,600 species of native bees in this country, by increasing the abundance of native plants, providing nest sites, and reducing the use of pesticides.

The Xerces Society of Invertebrate Conservation says that you can gently move the leaves to areas like tree beds or gardens, if you're worried about the grass dying. But overall, the less you disturb the leaves, the better.

Man using leaf blower in autumn leaves

"Too many leaves can kill grass, but in soil they can suppress weeds, retain moisture, and boost nutrition. Avoid shredding leaves with a mower. Raking or blowing (electric) are alternatives that will keep leaves whole for the best cover and protect the insects and eggs already living there. If you decide you need to clean up the leaves and debris in spring, make sure you wait until late in the season so as not to destroy all the life you’ve worked to protect."

Get our free mobile app

So, if you were looking for an excuse to take it easy on the yard work this fall, this might just bee a good one to use, as it's a win-win for everyone; you and the bugs!