WHAT WILL KILL JAPANESE KNOTWEED?
- Free survey - if you go ahead with a Management Plan
- 2 year payment plans available - spread the cost!
- Available to both Commercial and Residential clients
NAVIGATION
Japanese Knotweed – Fallopia Japonica is an Invasive non-native plant that can cause property damage if left untreated.
Japanese Knotweed was originally imported from Central Asia as ornamental plant during the 1800’s. It was prized for its beauty and exotic appearance.
Due to the lack of natural predators Japanese Knotweed has become an invasive species in the UK and other European countries. It is now common across all of the UK.
To kill Japanese Knotweed or get rid of Japanese Knotweed, isn’t easy and can’t be done, just by hand. A Japanese Knotweed PCA accredited contractor should be appointed to guarantee control and eradicate the infestation.
WHICH WEED KILLER FOR JAPANESE KNOTWEED?
Glyphosate based herbicides can be used to treat Japanese Knotweed. The best time to spray the leaves of Japanese Knotweed with herbicide is summer time, June – July during maximum growth. During this time Japanese Knotweed reaches its maximum height and is your best bet to get rid.
At this stage the plant stops growing new stems and leaves and begins sending its resources back down to the rhizomes, enabling the rhizomes to grow.
JAPANESE KNOTWEED REMOVAL – WITHOUT THE DRAMA
WHEN DOES JAPANESE KNOTWEED GROW?
“Japanese Knotweed is a fast-growing and strong clump-forming perennial, with tall, dense annual stems. Stem growth is renewed each year from the stout, deeply-penetrating rhizomes (creeping underground stems).”
STAGE 1 – PRE EMERGENCE FEBRUARY – APRIL
STAGE 2 SPRING – EARLY GROWTH MAY-JUNE
Rhizomes reserves continue to flow, facilitating the growth of new canes and leaves. The new leaves capture further resources which are directed towards further above ground growth.
Did you know – Japanese Knotweed can achieve growth of 6cm per day. Summer is the best month to try and control Japanese Knotweed.
STAGE 3 SUMMER – MAXIMUM GROWTH JUNE-JULY
STAGE 4 – AUTUMN FLOWERING AUGUST – NOVEMBER
WHO IS RESPONSIBLE FOR JAPANESE KNOTWEED?
As stated in the Environment Agency Japanese Knotweed Code Of Practice “it is not an offence to have knotweed on your land”. However, where Japanese Knotweed moves between private landowners from one property to another or Japanese Knotweed on neighbouring land interferes with your property rights, the relevant law is that of ‘private nuisance’.
A private nuisance is an act or omission which is an interference with, disturbance of or annoyance to a person in the exercise or enjoyment of his ownership or occupation of land. Nuisance extends to include encroachment on to the neighbouring land such as in the case of overhanging tree branches and tree roots which cross a boundary.
Where neighbouring property has Japanese Knotweed, it is a good idea to contact the owner to alert them to the presence of Japanese Knotweed. REMEMBER…Many people do not know what Japanese Knotweed is, or the problem associated with it, so approaching your neighbour in a polite and respectful manner in the first instance is sound advice. Whilst cautious not to cause a dispute, identify and discuss the steps required to deal with JKW.
CALL US NOW TO BEGIN THE TREATMENT AND CONTROL OF YOUR INFESTATION
WHY IS JAPANESE KNOTWEED A PROBLEM?
Unfortunately, banks MIGHT refuse mortgages and loans against a property with Japanese Knotweed, preventing property sales, unless a PCA approved Japanese Knotweed specialist has been instructed to conduct a management plan. Lenders need to know that a reputable & specialist Japanese Knotweed company has been instructed in order to protect their investment.
Other problems include:
- Economic loss, primarily associated with control costs in the construction sector
- A fragment of rhizome (the size of half of your fingernail) can contaminate surrounding soil..on the bottom of a shoe, a lawn mower etc – This will result in MORE NEW GROWTH
- Aesthetic damage to gardens and landscaping
- Damage to hard surfaces such as patios and driveways
- Damage to built structures such as walls, conservatories and out buildings
IS JAPANESE KNOTWEED ILLEGAL?
It is a criminal offence to plant or cause to grow a non-native invasive species that is listed on Schedule 9 in the wild (such as Japanese Knotweed) which carries penalties of up to £5,000 fine and/or 2 years imprisonment.
WILL JAPANESE KNOTWEED DEVALUE MY HOUSE?
When Japanese Knotweed is identified on a property, mortgage providers will often refuse to lend if a management plan is not in place via a PCA (Property Care Association) approved Japanese Knotweed contractor.
HOW DOES JAPANESE KNOTWEED AFFECT HOUSE PRICES?
As Japanese Knotweed can cause significant damage to property, banks will be reluctant to lend which can cause delays in sale transactions which can promote the buyers to demand reduction in the property sale price. It’s not easy or straightforward to kill Japanese Knotweed.
WHERE DO I REPORT JAPANESE KNOTWEED?
Selling a property: During the sale of a property you will be requirement to complete a pre-contract enquiry form (TA6) . There is a specific question asking the seller if the property is affected by Japanese Knotweed. If the seller fails to disclose Japanese Knotweed or knowingly falsifies the non-presence of Japanese Knotweed to the buyer, a claim against the seller could be bought before the courts for misrepresentation.
If you are aware Japanese Knotweed is present on a property prior to or during a sale you will be required to appoint a PCA approved Japanese Knotweed contractor to control/manage the infestation either by a Herbicide treatment or an excavation treatment.
In cases where Japanese Knotweed is encroaching on your land, say for example from a neighbouring property, you will need to inform the owner of the land and bring the infestation to their attention.
Buying a property: If you have purchased a property and the TA6 form states no Japanese Knotweed found then you discover there is Japanese Knotweed present, then you may be able to make a claim for the costs of the Japanese Knotweed treatment via the surveyors or the previous owners.
CAN JAPANESE KNOTWEED COME BACK?
There is no miracle cure for treating Japanese Knotweed and with herbicide treatments, the key is to ensure that a structured five-year treatment programme is implemented with a PCA approved Japanese Knotweed contractor consisting of repeat treatments at key times through the growing season.
We normally recommend three years of herbicide treatments (2 per season) followed by two years of monitoring to ensure all Japanese Knotweed has been effectively killed.
This programme can be covered with a 10 year warranty and insurance backed guarantee. We kill Japanese Knotweed and have a 100% success rate.
FREE IDENTIFICATION
Fill in the form below, attach your pictures and we’ll let you know if the plant in your picture is Japanese Knotweed.
