Pull Behind Dethatchers are a SCAM

Pull-Behind Dethatchers Are a Scam – Here’s What You Need to Know

At Snip & Clip Alaska, we’re all about helping homeowners understand what’s actually worth paying for when it comes to lawn care. And today, we’re calling out one of the biggest scams in the industry: pull-behind dethatchers.

If your lawn care guy is charging you for “dethatching” but shows up with a little rake dragged behind a lawn mower or four-wheeler, you’re not getting the real thing—and your lawn knows it.

So What’s the Difference?

Let’s break it down:

❌ Pull-Behind Dethatchers (AKA the SCAM Way):

• These are basically wide rakes on wheels.

• They get dragged behind a mower, ATV, or lawn tractor.

• They barely scratch the surface and often just comb through the grass, doing more cosmetic fluffing than actual dethatching.

• They don’t penetrate deep enough to pull out the real thatch layer (the compacted dead grass and roots between your soil and living grass).

• In most cases, they don’t improve your lawn’s health at all—yet some guys will still charge you a premium.

✅ Powered Dethatchers (The Real Deal):

• These machines use sharp spinning blades or tines powered by an engine.

• They dig deep into the thatch layer and actually remove the compacted junk that’s suffocating your lawn.

• You’ll usually end up with piles of thatch pulled out—which is exactly what you want.

• It opens up your lawn to breathe, absorb water, and grow thicker and greener.

Here’s the Bottom Line:

If someone’s offering “dethatching” but shows up with a pull-behind rake… you’re being scammed. That’s not real dethatching—it’s lawn fluffing. And it’s not worth your money.

At Snip & Clip Alaska, we only use powered dethatching equipment that actually does the job right. If your lawn needs a reset, we’ll treat it with respect and real results—not gimmicks.

Need real lawn care help? Call