When I was a kid, I used to help my mom rake leaves the old-fashioned way – with a rake.
These days, I don’t see many libertines in my neighborhood. It seems like everyone has a leaf blower or a landscaper who uses it, often at inappropriate times, which disturbs both humans and wildlife.
The near-constant cacophony has led many communities across the country to restrict or outright ban gas blowers, which are typically noisier than electric or battery-powered models and also pollute more. Some municipalities offer residents discounts or trade-in programs to replace gas equipment with electric.
Noise is not just a nuisance. According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, prolonged exposure to noise greater than 70 decibels can damage your hearing. Gas-powered leaf blowers can register up to 100 decibels at the source (levels decrease with distance).
Most electric models range from 59 to 70 decibels. For context, a motorcycle engine registers around 95 decibels; a normal conversation is around 50. And it’s worth noting that every 10 decibel increase is not just 10 points louder, but 10 times louder, so 80 decibels is a tenfold increase over 70.
Gas-powered leaf blowers also expel gases and pollutants like carbon monoxide. Both gas and electric blowers lift particles, dust, mold, pollen, and bird and animal feces containing pathogens into the air we (and insects and wildlife) breathe. People with respiratory problems or allergies may be especially sensitive.
Both types also eliminate mulch, contribute to soil erosion, and disrupt delicate ecosystems. Soil depletion makes plants more vulnerable to disease and infestation, which could lead to greater pesticide use.
The loud explosions from the machines – which travel up to 200 mph, can displace, injure and kill pollinators and other insects. Birds can also become frightened and change their feeding, nesting and mating habits.
Share this information with your friends and neighbors. If you hire a landscaper, express your concerns and ask them to use electrical equipment. If enough people do this, hopefully demand will effect change.
If you have the time and inclination, rake. On hard surfaces, use a broom. They are sustainable alternatives that also provide good exercise and moments of tranquility alone with your thoughts.
Clean up your lawn, but consider leaving leaves where they fall in garden beds and borders.
Leaf sweepers, which work like lawn mowers, capture and collect leaves, twigs and other garden debris in an attached bag. This offers an added advantage over blowers, which simply move debris out of the way or place it in a pile that needs to be collected before reuse or disposal. Electric models are also available.
If you must use a blower, opt for an electric or cordless rechargeable model as a cleaner, quieter compromise. The initial price may be higher, but you will quickly recoup the cost with savings on gas and oil.
And if a gas-powered model is really your only option, do yourself, your neighbors, and the birds and bees a favor by running it sparingly and only at half throttle.
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Jessica Damiano writes regular gardening columns for the AP and publishes the award-winning Weekly Dirt Newsletter. You can sign up here to receive weekly gardening tips and advice.
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