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Raking and using a good quality leather garden glove should protect your hands.

https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/garden-how-to/tools/choosing-garden-gloves.htm

It isn't that the bush, itself, attracts them because it is a Holly, rather the more compact it is the more it will attract them.

Some Hollies are very compact, which will hold moisture. This is a good breeding ground for mosquitoes. Other Hollies that are less dense will not have the same effect. This goes for most shrubs.

It is common for Hollies to lose leaves in the spring.
This article has more information.
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/shrubs/holly/holly-leaf-loss-in-spring.htm

Very little pruning is needed to create a well-structured, strong tree.
Small diameter branches form main stems in a twisted fashion creating a droopy look to the tree.

This is very common. You are very close to me, and the winter did have some wet periods. This causes infections in the soil, which mostly effect evergreens from my experience. I correct these issues all the time. Wettable sulfur will kill off the infection when applied to the soil. The dead growth will not come back, but it will stop the spread, and let the new growth remain healthy.

Any male holly will lack the capacity to produce berries. Just avoid female shrubs, and you will be fine. Check the labels at the garden center.