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Trees that provide a habitat to bats and an abundance of bugs—their main food source—will attract bats to your yard. Because the North American landscape has changed so much in recent years, bats have a harder time finding trees with cavities to shelter in. If your yard has a dead or dying tree with a lot of sun exposure, bats will likely be drawn to it because trees with those features are less common.

No, it’s not necessary to remove all the leaves from your lawn—in fact, leaving some behind can be beneficial. While it's important to clear thick layers of leaves that can smother your grass, leaving a light scattering of leaves can help feed your soil while also providing safe winter habitat for pollinators like bumble bees. Leftover leaves will eventually break down, enriching the soil and promoting healthy lawn growth.

If you don’t remove a bush properly, it’ll come back each year. Removing the root system entirely is the only way to ensure the plant doesn’t have a chance to grow back. You can also use natural weed killers or you can choose to suppress the area with landscaping fabric. Additionally, consider planting alternative, non-invasive vegetation to deter the return of thorn bushes.

Unless it’s rubber or you need to prune suckers and remove weeds, you shouldn’t need to get rid of the old mulch around your tree. Simply push old mulch a few inches away from the trunk of your tree and then top it off with enough fresh mulch to reach 3 to 4 inches in height.