Do decomposing leaves pose a health hazard?

• <div><p>It’s unlikely your leaves are a hazard, especially if you get to them while they’re dry. However, a couple of rare risks exist. University studies suggest that decaying leaves can produce organochlorines, toxic pollutants similar to man-made PCBs (polychlorinated biphenyls), so avoid keeping them in an enclosed area.</p><p>Also, leaves and compost may cause the growth of fungi that can cause diseases like histoplasmosis and aspergillosis, as well as mold spores that are unhealthy for human lungs. Again, severe issues are rare, but those with compromised immune systems or allergies to mold should wear face masks when directly handling leaves.</p></div>

Get matched with top lawn care providers in Elephant Butte, NM

Q: Should you remove old mulch before putting down new mulch?

• <div><p>Generally, it is not necessary to remove old mulch before applying a new layer. As organic mulch breaks down, it enriches the soil with nutrients. However, you should remove the old layer if it shows signs of fungus or disease, which can be common in moist areas, or if the total depth is already too thick. Avoid letting the total mulch depth exceed 3 inches, as this can harm plant roots. If you do remove old, disease-free mulch, it can be added to a compost pile.</p></div>

Q: Do decomposing leaves pose a health hazard?

• <div><p>It&rsquo;s unlikely your leaves are a hazard, especially if you get to them while they&rsquo;re dry. However, a couple of rare risks exist. University studies suggest that decaying leaves can produce organochlorines, toxic pollutants similar to man-made PCBs (polychlorinated biphenyls), so avoid keeping them in an enclosed area.</p><p>Also, leaves and compost may cause the growth of fungi that can cause diseases like histoplasmosis and aspergillosis, as well as mold spores that are unhealthy for human lungs. Again, severe issues are rare, but those with compromised immune systems or allergies to mold should wear face masks when directly handling leaves.</p></div>

Q: How do you make yard waste decompose faster?

• <div><p>There are several ways to decompose yard waste quickly. The first step is to move all debris into a compost bin or pile. From there, microorganisms, bacteria, and insects will break down the yard waste into compost. To speed things up, shred the waste into smaller pieces, add live worms to the pile, or introduce nitrogen-rich compost accelerators like grass clippings, coffee grounds, and manure. Turn the compost over every few days. This process, called aerating, allows oxygen to get in and accelerate decomposition.</p></div>

Q: How long does it take to clear land?

• <div><p>Land-clearing projects often take professionals one to two days to complete, but your timeframe can get much longer&mdash;sometimes up to a week or more&mdash;if you need your pros to clear a large section of land, grind down multiple large trees below the ground, or clear especially dense or heavy materials, like landscaping boulders and brush. A land-clearing expert will usually give you an accurate timeline along with your quote to help you better plan your project.</p></div>

Q: What is the average cost of estate cleanout services per square foot?

• <div><p>Estate cleanout services aren&rsquo;t typically priced per square foot, although you can often expect costs to increase along with the square footage of a property. The real factor at play is the number of items that need to be handled. More items, especially bulky items, mean higher costs, and larger homes tend to hold more items.</p></div>

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Verified Reviews for Lawn Service pros in Elephant Butte, NM

*The Angi rating for Lawn Service companies in Elephant Butte, NM is a rating based on verified reviews from our community of homeowners who have used these pros to meet their Lawn Service needs.

*The HomeAdvisor rating for Lawn Service companies in Elephant Butte, NM is a rating based on verified reviews from our community of homeowners who have used these pros to meet their Lawn Service needs.

Last update on January 12, 2026

Reviewed in January 2026
There aren’t enough stars to rate AJ and Erica. The customer service, commitment, professionalism, affordability, and skill is off the charts. Highly recommend 👍👍👍👍👍
AJ's Appliance Repair, LLC
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Reviewed in November 2025
Excellent customer service. Great communication with us. They traveled 75 miles to our home. Very professional team. Very knowledgeable. Very reasonable price. We are happy customers.
AJ's Appliance Repair, LLC
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Reviewed in March 2024
I am a realtor and we hired them to clean out a house and yard. Matt was dependable, he showed up when he said he was going to, and did the job in a timely manner with great customer service. He went above and beyond and made it better than I had anticipated. I will hire him again, and I will...
DTH Debris & Trash Hauling
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Reviewed in December 2022
Jeremy was great to work with, he arrived early, was friendly and polite and knew what he was doing. His install of a new garage door opener works perfectly. Jamie in the office was also a pleasure to work with, she is very easy to communicate with. It was a positive experience all the way...
Mesilla Valley Door, LLC
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Reviewed in November 2022
Joshua responded to our emergency call at 4:45 pm and arrived at 5:15 pm. He was professional and knowledgeable. He offered some additional suggestions on clearing our line, that actually saved us from an emergency plumbing bill. He has earned our trust, our annual business and our respect. We...
Pacheco Septic Pumping
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Reviewed in November 2022
Jared and his crew were professional, and I am very pleased with their service. I recommend them and will definitely use them again!
Voyage Moving
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Reviewed in February 2022
Very happy with their work and service.
City On A Hill Electric, LLC
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Reviewed in January 2021
James was very responsive and easy to work with. He gave us a reasonable price and got the job done quickly.
Desert Pride Landscaping
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Reviewed in December 2020
Great communication from the beginning through the project and after. Impressed by the team moving the truck forward where the trailer was to clean up what feel under it. Highly recommend this team.
Desert Valley Landscape
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Reviewed in October 2020
Kleanforce Environmental comes highly recommended. They promptly return calls and arrive at the scheduled time and place as promised. They are extremely efficient, knowledgeable and professional. A bathroom water leak, 7 years ago, in a bathroom exterior wall created the unknown mold issue in...
Kleanforce
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Find Lawn care providers in Elephant Butte

All In One Maintenance

3.8(

)

Lawn Care - Maintain and Mow a Lawn

Serving Elephant Butte, NM and surrounding areas

In business since 2000

Free estimates

"he was very attentive to my needs and hired him back to do some more work for me."

Response time3 days

Response rate90%

Recommended by81%of homeowners

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GLB Landscaping

New to Angi

Lawn & Yard Waste Clean UpLawn Care - Maintain and Mow a Lawn

Serving Elephant Butte, NM and surrounding areas

In business since 2020

Free estimates

Offers commercial services

We at GLB Landscaping focus on quality lawn projects over quantity. We use our 25 years of experience and expertise to complete your project with perfection. Customer service and honesty are the most important aspects of our business and your satisfaction is guaranteed. Please call us today for an estimate. We look forward to working with you.\n

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Ground Control Landscaping

0.0(

)

Lawn & Yard Waste Clean UpLawn Care - Aerate a LawnLawn Care - Aerate a Lawn - For Business+4 more

Serving Elephant Butte, NM and surrounding areas

In business since 2000

Free estimates

Ground Control Landscaping prides themselves in exceeding customers and clients expectations. They take the time to really listen and understand the desires of their customers and clients, to make sure the customer is fully satisfied with the job. A job well done.

Recommended by100%of homeowners

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K's Landscaping

New to Angi

Lawn & Yard Waste Clean UpLawn Care - Maintain and Mow a Lawn

Serving Elephant Butte, NM and surrounding areas

In business since 2015

Free estimates

Emergency services offered

We pride our company on reliability, great communication, integrity, and quality work. We are experts in our trade and will do our best to keep you as educated as we can on your particular task or project. We look forward to earning your business! Book with us online or feel free to give us a call today!

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G&W lawn care and more LLC

New to Angi

Lawn & Yard Waste Clean UpLawn Care - Aerate a LawnLawn Care - Aerate a Lawn - For Business+4 more

Serving Elephant Butte, NM and surrounding areas

In business since 2020

Free estimates

Credit card accepted

With over 10 years experience in the home repair & landscaping industries, G&W Lawn Care and More is your industry expert in Luna county & the surrounding area. We pride ourselves on our extreme professionalism and attention to detail. Our customer satisfaction guarantee will assure you we will not leave your property until you are completely satisfied with our work. As a family owned and operated business you can trust that we will treat your home as we would treat our own. Give us a call today we look forward to working with you!

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CLEAN CUTZ LANDSCAPING

New to Angi

Lawn & Yard Waste Clean UpLawn Care - Fall / Spring Clean Up - For BusinessLawn Care - Maintain and Mow a Lawn+1 more

Serving Elephant Butte, NM and surrounding areas

In business since 2012

Free estimates

Credit card accepted

We pride our company on reliability, great communication,\nintegrity, and quality work. We are experts in our trade and will do our best\nto keep you as educated as we can on your particular task or project. We look\nforward to earning your business!

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Gold Standard Carpet Care LLC

5.0(

)

Lawn & Yard Waste Clean UpLawn Care - Maintain and Mow a Lawn

Serving Elephant Butte, NM and surrounding areas

In business since 2025

Free estimates

Were a locally owned and operated company that values honesty and integrity and treats your home as if it were our own. Our services are customized to the individual project, paying close attention to the details of each project that we're involved with. We pride ourselves on the quality of our work as well as our commitment to outstanding results. We look forward to building lasting relationships and guaranteeing your satisfaction!

1 neighbors recently requested a quote

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Don't Stress That Mess

New to Angi

Lawn Care - Maintain and Mow a Lawn

Serving Elephant Butte, NM and surrounding areas

In business since 2022

Free estimates

We pride our company on reliability, great communication, integrity, and quality work. We are experts in our trade and will do our absolute best to keep you as educated as we can on your particular task or project. We look forward to earning your business!

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Second 2 None Landscaping

New to Angi

Lawn & Yard Waste Clean UpLawn Care - Fall / Spring Clean Up - For BusinessLawn Care - Maintain and Mow a Lawn+2 more

Serving Elephant Butte, NM and surrounding areas

In business since 1979

Free estimates

Second 2 None Landscaping is a locally owned and operated company that values honesty and integrity in all aspects of our business. Our dedicated team of professionals have over 12 years of hands on experience, to provide innovative ideas and suggestions tailored to your projects. Our services are customized to your individual needs, paying close attention to the details of each project that we are involved with. Please feel free to contact us today!

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Gonzales Landscaping & Nursery

New to Angi

Lawn & Yard Waste Clean UpLawn Care - Fall / Spring Clean Up - For BusinessLawn Care - Maintain and Mow a Lawn - For Business

Serving Elephant Butte, NM and surrounding areas

In business since 1967

Free estimates

We are a locally owned and operated company that values honesty and integrity in all aspects of our business. We offer a variety of lawn care and landscaping services that are customizable to each individual property. We pride ourselves on the quality of our work as well as our commitment to outstanding results. We look forward to building lasting relationships with our clients and guarantee your satisfaction!

Response time10 mins

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Showing 1-10 of 22

Lawns questions, answered by experts

Generally, it is not necessary to remove old mulch before applying a new layer. As organic mulch breaks down, it enriches the soil with nutrients. However, you should remove the old layer if it shows signs of fungus or disease, which can be common in moist areas, or if the total depth is already too thick. Avoid letting the total mulch depth exceed 3 inches, as this can harm plant roots. If you do remove old, disease-free mulch, it can be added to a compost pile.

It’s unlikely your leaves are a hazard, especially if you get to them while they’re dry. However, a couple of rare risks exist. University studies suggest that decaying leaves can produce organochlorines, toxic pollutants similar to man-made PCBs (polychlorinated biphenyls), so avoid keeping them in an enclosed area.

Also, leaves and compost may cause the growth of fungi that can cause diseases like histoplasmosis and aspergillosis, as well as mold spores that are unhealthy for human lungs. Again, severe issues are rare, but those with compromised immune systems or allergies to mold should wear face masks when directly handling leaves.

There are several ways to decompose yard waste quickly. The first step is to move all debris into a compost bin or pile. From there, microorganisms, bacteria, and insects will break down the yard waste into compost. To speed things up, shred the waste into smaller pieces, add live worms to the pile, or introduce nitrogen-rich compost accelerators like grass clippings, coffee grounds, and manure. Turn the compost over every few days. This process, called aerating, allows oxygen to get in and accelerate decomposition.

Land-clearing projects often take professionals one to two days to complete, but your timeframe can get much longer—sometimes up to a week or more—if you need your pros to clear a large section of land, grind down multiple large trees below the ground, or clear especially dense or heavy materials, like landscaping boulders and brush. A land-clearing expert will usually give you an accurate timeline along with your quote to help you better plan your project.

Estate cleanout services aren’t typically priced per square foot, although you can often expect costs to increase along with the square footage of a property. The real factor at play is the number of items that need to be handled. More items, especially bulky items, mean higher costs, and larger homes tend to hold more items.

The Elephant Butte, NM homeowners’ guide to lawn services

From average costs to expert advice, get all the answers you need to get your job done.

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Kate Fann
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Mar 17, 2026Mar 17, 2026
What Are the Average Prices for Mowing Lawns? [2026 Data]
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•
Mar 18, 2026Mar 18, 2026
How Much Does It Cost to Fertilize Your Lawn? [2026 Data]
Discover the cost to fertilize your lawn, including average prices, key factors, and tips to help homeowners budget for a lush, healthy yard.
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Jul 10, 2026Jul 10, 2026
How Much Does Lawn Care Cost? [2026 Data]
Your total lawn care cost depends on several factors, including the type of service and lawn size. Our guide will cover what you can expect to pay for lawn care.
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Jul 9, 2026Jul 9, 2026
Best Grass For High Traffic Lawns: 6 Types to Try
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Developing a lawn maintenance schedule specific to your climate and location can produce excellent results for creating the greenest lawn around.
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Jul 8, 2026Jul 8, 2026
How to Hire the Best Lawn Service
When it comes to regular lawn care service—mowing, trimming, weed killing, and other landscaping—don’t settle for anything but the best; here’s how to find it.