Is a dog poop pickup service worth it?

Honest answer: for a lot of dog owners, yes, and for some, no. It depends on how many dogs you have, who uses the yard, and what your time is worth to you. Here's how to tell which group you're in, what it costs, and why regular pickup matters either way.

Who is a pooper scooper service worth it for?

It's worth it when the yard keeps getting ahead of you, or when the people in your house shouldn't be the ones cleaning it up.

• Two or more dogs. The waste adds up fast, and a thorough weekly cleanup with a pack is a real chore.
• Kids who play outside. The CDC says children younger than 5 are more likely to get sick from germs animals carry, because they touch contaminated surfaces and put their hands in their mouths. A yard that's cleared on schedule is one less thing to police.
• Older adults and people with weakened immune systems. The CDC counts both as higher risk for illness from animals. If that's you, handing off the scooping is a reasonable precaution. Ask your doctor what else makes sense.
• Bad backs, bad knees, busy weeks. If bending over a rake hurts, or your weekends are already spoken for, this is an easy chore to hand off.
• Big yards. More ground means more searching. Yards up to an acre are priced online, and bigger ones get a custom quote.
• A reset moment. Spring thaw, a move-out or a party. A one-time cleanup handles it without signing up for a plan.

Managing an HOA, apartment community or dog park? That's a different job, and our commercial service covers it.

Who probably doesn't need one?

If you have one small dog and you already pick up every day, you probably don't need us. You're already doing what the CDC recommends, and a service wouldn't add much.

It's also likely not worth it if:

• Your dog doesn't use a yard. If your dog only goes on walks, you're already picking up as you go.
• You like doing it. For some people, the daily scoop is a few quiet minutes outside. Keep at it.
• Money is tight. A long-handled scooper and a roll of bags do the job. The key is doing it at least weekly.
• It's a once-a-year problem. If the only time the yard gets away from you is the spring melt, book a one-time cleanup instead of a plan.

If you keep scooping yourself, the CDC's basics still apply: pick up every time, bag it for the trash, and wash your hands afterward. There's no shame in either answer. A clean yard matters more than who cleans it.

What does it cost compared with doing it yourself?

Weekly service for one dog on a yard up to ¼ acre is $19 a visit, which comes to about $82 a month. Here's what some common setups cost:

The first cleanup is free with any plan, even if the yard has gone a while. Plans are month to month with no card fees and no cancellation fee, so trying it costs you one month.

Doing it yourself costs bags, a scooper and your time. The fair comparison is personal: time your next full-yard cleanup, including bagging and the walk to the trash can, and weigh it against $19 a visit. Our dog poop pickup cost guide breaks down every number, and the 30-second quote shows yours.

What are the health reasons to keep a yard picked up?

Dog poop can carry germs that make people and animals sick, and even a dog that looks healthy can spread germs, according to the CDC. That's why the CDC says to pick up even in your own yard, especially where children may play.

Two parasites are worth knowing by name:

• Roundworm. Eggs passed in dog poop need 2 to 4 weeks in the environment to become infective, and they can survive for months or even years. The CDC says severe cases are more likely in young children who play in or eat contaminated dirt.
• Hookworm. Larvae from dog hookworm can burrow into bare skin when people step or sit on contaminated soil. Most people recover without treatment, and the CDC's prevention advice includes disposing of animal waste quickly, before eggs can get into the soil and hatch.

A scooping service isn't a substitute for your vet. The CDC recommends having a veterinarian test and treat dogs for worms, so ask yours what your dog needs. If you're worried about an exposure, ask your doctor.

What does dog poop do to Lake St. Clair?

Left on the lawn, it doesn't stay there. The EPA says stormwater carries pet waste into streams, lakes and rivers, where it can make people and animals sick and feed weeds and algae. It ranks pet waste among the leading sources of bacteria and nutrient pollution in urban streams. It also says some owners skip pickup because they think dog waste is a natural fertilizer, which the EPA lists as a misconception.

In Macomb County, the path is short. County Public Works says all 475 county drains eventually carry storm water to Lake St. Clair, and it warns that dog waste left behind washes into storm drains and ditches, then on to local lakes and streams. The county Health Department tests the water at five county beaches for E. coli from April through September, and a beach can be closed when bacteria levels exceed the state standard.

Dog waste isn't the only source of bacteria in the lake. It's the one every dog owner controls.

What should you look for in a pooper scooper service?

Clear prices, no long contract, and a routine you can check. Whoever you hire, these are fair questions to ask:

• Can you see the price before you sign up? You should know the per-visit and monthly cost, plus any first-cleanup charge, up front.
• Is there a contract or a cancellation fee? Month-to-month service lets you walk away if it isn't working.
• Are tools and boots cleaned between yards? The Merck Veterinary Manual notes that canine parvovirus can spread through contaminated people and equipment, and Cornell's Baker Institute says the virus can survive for months outside a dog, even through the winter.
• Where does the waste go? Bagged for the trash or hauled away, never into a ditch or a storm drain.
• How will you know they came? Look for a text or photo after each visit, and an easy way to report a missed spot.
• What happens in bad weather? Ask how snow, ice and lightning are handled, and whether missed visits get made up or credited.

The full checklist, with our own answers, is in how to choose a pooper scooper service.

Should you hire a pooper scooper?

Hire one if at least two of these five questions get a yes:

1. Do you have two or more dogs?
2. Does the yard regularly go more than a week between cleanups?
3. Do young kids, older adults or anyone with a weakened immune system use the yard?
4. Is scooping hard on your back or knees?
5. Would you rather spend that time on something else?

If you answered no to all five, keep your scooper handy and stick with it. Either way, see how often to pick up dog poop for a schedule that fits your yard, and what happens on a visit if you're curious what you'd be getting.