Leaves left on lawns create habitats for insects and provide protection for their larva. The vast majority of butterflies and moths overwinter in the landscape as an egg, caterpillar, chrysalis, or adult. Bumble bees, spiders, snails, worms, beetles, millipedes, mites, and more also rely on leaf litter for protection. These animals, in turn, are food for chipmunks, turtles, birds, and amphibians. Leaves play an important role in building a strong ecosystem. Here are some tips for effective leaf-leaving. 

• Leaves should remain whole for insect protection. Mulched or shredded leaves don't provide the same protection level to eggs, caterpillars, and chrysalis.
• The process of mulching all leaves can remove these protections. 
• If leaves are mulched, use them for gardening.
• Turfgrass can tolerate approximately 10-20% of leaf coverage and remain healthy. 
• To avoid full coverage of turfgrass, collect some leaves and deposit them in a pile in your yard to provide greater ecosystem benefit.

Resources

• https://www.usda.gov/media/blog/2022/10/17/fall-leave-leaves
• Autumn Leaves - Myth and Reality | Missouri Department of Conservation (mo.gov)

The term pesticide covers insecticides, herbicides, fungicides, and rodenticides. Agricultural practices, such as the use of herbicides, reduce forage and nesting opportunities for insects, especially pollinators. A more direct threat to insects is the use of insecticides to eliminate populations.

Additionally, the use of these substances creates a harmful chain of events throughout the ecosystem. Insects ingest plants treated with herbicides, insects are ingested by rodents and amphibians, and then, these creatures are consumed by birds and other wildlife. Throughout the ecosystem, these pesticides spread reproduction complications and premature death. 

• Avoid use of pesticides and herbicides.
• Apply ecological pest management to your yard. 

Resources

• Understanding Pesticides & Their Risks | Xerces Society
• Ecological Pest Management | Xerces Society

Native plants and lawns support a larger population of adult insects than turf or non-native lawns. Additionally, native plants balance the needs of the ecosystem with the need for soil enrichment and stabilization.

• Choose native plants and lawn coverage. 
• Mow lawns less frequently than once a week to create a more bee-friendly environment. 
• Remove invasive species from your yard and do not plant them in your yard. 

Resources

• Native Plant Database - Grow Native!
• Invasive Species (missouribotanicalgarden.org)
• To mow or to mow less: Lawn mowing frequency affects bee abundance and diversity in suburban yards - ScienceDirect
• Native Landscape Care Calendar - Grow Native!
• Resource Guide - Grow Native!
• Native Gardening Overview - Grow Native!
• Native Landscape Plans - Grow Native!