Getting rid of mosquito heaven.

Deerherd · Jun 9, 2014

I have a really wet area around the house and the centerpiece was a frog pond with waterfall that the previous owner let go it's own way. It stunk and was a breeding ground for Mosquitos. I am also removing all the ash trees within 200' of the house before they fall down on their own. It's was also right in the middle of the "road" I needed to put in to get around the house. Here is a picture of it before I started:

There were a few larger rocks that I had to chain and roll into the bucket.

After getting all the rocks removed from the edges I gathered up the rubber liner and thought I could yank it out.

I couldn't budge it and had to wade in with boots and gloves and remove a lot more rocks that they had placed in the bottom on top of the liner. I cut some slits in the liner and wove a tow strap and it came out!

Here it is filled in.

Now I can get around the house to move the trees!

EddieWalker · Jun 9, 2014

Nice job. Looks like it was a good idea that never really worked out for whoever put it in.

Eddie

GLyford · Jun 9, 2014

Looks like the the pump was no longer running, and I didn't see any filter media in the return "tub". Those lined ponds need constant circulation through the filter media, as well as regular clean outs, addatives, etc. Left still and stagnant no wonder it gave you trouble.

Since there was a pump, look around for the outlet, wire, or conduit used to run it...preferable before you dig in the dirt to prepare a road base. If nothing else, having an outdoor outlet near there might be handy for battery chargers, gate openers, or such.

Deerherd · Jun 9, 2014

The pump was working and I used it to empty most of the pea green soup until it plugged from the crud. I never found the pump but did find the outlet and disconnected it. The outlet was a regular outlet facing up in a little wooden box. I have the outlet switched off at the breaker box but have to get someone who knows electricity to inspect it and replace the outlet with an outdoor version.

I would like a gate opener but it's 1/4 mile to the road. The road I'm building is only temporary so I can get access around the house to remove all the trees.