How can I get rid of a homemade backyard marsh?

Question

We have a sump pump for our basement that empties into the backyard. Over the last year that we've lived here, we've watched a marsh spring up. We hate it. It attracts many many pests. We tried tonight to burn it down and it didn't work.

How can we quickly get rid of it?

Answer 1

Actually, if you plant marsh loving plants there, you will find that it will build it's own ecosystem around it. The mosquitoes will attract dragonflies. And other animals that live in that kind of habitat.

There are MANY lovely plants that bloom that love to have their 'feet' wet. And there are sun and shade lovers also. Planting a marsh or bog garden there will help prevent runoff and the plants will help clean the water.

The only other suggestion I have is to hire a Landscape Architect to regrade your yard and redirect your sump discharge. Otherwise, if it impacts any of your neighbors, you can be sued.  

Answer 2

Fill in the low spot where the marsh grows, and run the hose farther than the low spot.