Knotweed Services constantly research Japanese Knotweed. We strive to improve our understanding daily. Researching new methods and treatments and investing heavily in training and staff progression.
We attend seminars and we are PCA members. In short, we know Japanese Knotweed and whilst the latest information coming out of Swansea University is eye opening for some, it’s not for us or our clients.
For over 2 years we have concentrated on informing our clients about our CONTROL measures and our specialist ability to treat Japanese Knotweed infestations. The Swansea University research clarifies what we have known as a company for the last couple of years.
For our readers and visitors that are not familiar with the latest research coming out of Swansea University, please keep reading.
Swansea University have recently conducted and completed the world’s largest in-the-field trial on the control of Japanese Knotweed.
The methods used were physical, chemical and an integrated approach.
Prof Dan Eastwood from the project said: “Basically, we’re discovering how best to tackle invasive plants in real world conditions, informed by evidence of what actually works. We began focusing on knotweed at a time when there was a great deal of hysteria surrounding it.
“At the time, most information for people affected by the plant was largely based on anecdote. This led to the prospect of unscrupulous companies offering expensive and ineffective treatment solutions.
“It was incredible to us that there was no long-term, large-scale field trial analysis of the treatment methods used to control Japanese knotweed.”
Dr Dan Jones, the founder of a consultancy that solves complex invasive plant species problems, said: “Off the back of the first three years of data we’ve found that eradication is not possible. Hopefully over the longer term we may move towards that by using new chemicals we’re looking at.
“But it’s not a question of eradication, it’s a question of sustained control and management and well informed control and management.
“Claims made by companies, stating that they could eradicate Japanese knotweed using herbicides in short spaces of time have now been proven to be false, based on our experiments.
“Furthermore, we have shown that applying the wrong herbicides at the wrong time of the year leads to greater herbicide use and environmental impacts.”
Dr Jones added: “There’s a range of issues in terms of risk and hazard. There’s a political issue around glyphosate as well.
“What we’ve done is work with the biology of the plant to minimise the amount of herbicide we’re using over a treatment life cycle. Although we’re using quite a contentious herbicide in that respect, we are using far less of that herbicide than you would use for other products that don’t work on Japanese knotweed.”
Knotweed Services have known for some time that herbicide alone does not “eradicate or kill” Japanese Knotweed – it controls it. The new report should also act as a deterrent for adopting a DIY approach to your Knotweed infestation – you can potentially make it worse.
We adopt a range of treatments to control, treat and remedy your Japanese Knotweed infestation. We can help with the purchase and sale of both land and properties.
Read our buying and selling guide here to tell you everything you need to know and more. If you have a commercial property or land please head over to our commercial Japanese knotweed removal section to find out more about the treatments, management and control methods that we implement and utilise.
