Leaf cleanup and leaf removal is an essential task for every homeowner to do. Typically, most homeowners can handle this by themselves but it some case, it’s best to hire out one of the growing number of professionals. After deciding to go with the professionals to cleanup and or remove your leaves, be sure to let all of your leaves fall first. This may sound obvious, but you’d be surprised at how many homeowners make this mistake every year.
Staying ahead of the game. We recommend that you regularly clean up leaves in your yard as opposed to waiting all the way until spring. Leaves left to pile up can form a heavy mass that can kill or damage grass and ornamental plants. Matted leaves block sunlight and reduce water evaporation, which causes fungus, mold and disease. These alone can wipe out a lawn in a year or two. For the average homeowner, the simplest way to keep leaves manageable is a steel rake and some hard steady work. You should be able to manage your leaves by raking and cleaning up 2-3 times before the New Year.
You can also rent a leaf blower to clean out the hedges and under trees and shrubs. Another option is renting a vacuum but this turns into a tedious task of transferring from one bag to the other. Most cities however, have a leaf recycling and pickup schedule. Simply bag your leaves, or in some cases just leave them in a pile on the curb, and your town will come around once or twice and pick them up. Check your town or city's website to see if your municipality participates in this kind of program.
Calling in for leaf cleanup and or leaf removal help by the pros. While you can maintain the basic appearance of your yard through regular leaf cleanup, dry leaves tend to crack, break and eventually settle deep into your grass. Even a vigorous raking may not be enough to get every piece and stem, especially if you live in a wet or snowy climate. Leaves also have a tendency to hide behind and under lawn features and can also get stuck in gutters or between deck boards.
Many landscaping companies now offer leaf removal services, which typically take two forms. The first is curbside pickup: Workers bring in a large vacuum truck, which sucks up leaf piles you've made at the end of your driveway or edge of your lawn. You don't need to worry about bagging or disposing your leaves, but you are still responsible for getting them off your grass and moving them to the curb.
Some companies also offer mobile vacuuming: Your landscaper provides an employee running a powerful mobile device, which can pull even the smallest leaf fragment out of your grass. In this case, the company takes care of everything, from initial vacuuming to truck loading to disposal. Expect to pay for this service based on the amount of leaves you need removed and the amount of labor involved in the task. Vacuuming up piles from your curb, for example, will cost less money but require more of your time. Hiring a company to rake and vacuum your entire yard will at least double the cost, but you won't need to lift a finger to remove your leaves.
Tips for saving money on the leaf removal process. Make sure to put your leaves in piles somewhere easily accessible, since the time required for removal impacts the price of the service. In addition, make sure you don't dump the piles in ditches and remove all large debris like sticks, rocks and loose garbage before the pros arrive. This may significantly reduce your cost because the pros won't have to waste time separating what they can and can't take to recycle at the transfer station. Also, try to time your call for service so that your leaves aren't sitting out for more than a few days (once a leaf pile settles, it becomes more difficult to remove).
