What you cite as reasons not to rake is exactly why I would. There are certain areas I do NOT want insects or other creatures nesting. Particularly next to the house entrances, near anything wood or near my paths to or from the home. Far down in the back yard away from the house is fine, the moths, spiders, termites and mice and have a field day in the decaying scrub pile of dead branches and leaves. They don’t need to live in my front lawn anymore than they do in my house.