The Alien Invasion Myth…and other stupid comments

Wednesday, December 21st, 2011

Apparently the whole Japanese Knotweed eradication industry is a ‘myth’ …or so some dusty old boffin writing for the Horticultural Society would have us believe.

Alien plants are supposedly not a threat to biodiversity and the truth is that ‘nobody knows’ the real extent of the problem.

He states that alien species are ‘rare’ and that they occur ‘overwhelmingly in and around towns and transport networks’ and are ‘generally uncommon in semi natural habitats that we most want to preserve’.

He notes that Himalayan balsam only displaces ‘other aliens’ or ‘thuggish natives’ – he then further notes that Japanese Knotweed harbours ‘late pollen for bees’

Frankly I don’t know where to start, articles like this make my blood boil.

I could take the author to a multitude of sites around my office without travelling more than 10 miles and show sites that are completely over run with either Japanese Knotweed or Himalayan balsam. These sites would vary from industrial to domestic through to open countryside and SSSI’s.

I am a keen mountain biker and travel all over the country to some of the most remote regions – and I can confirm – I always spot non-native invasive plants….everywhere!

Anybody saying this isn’t an issue is either blind or stupid.

Anybody in a position of credibility saying this isn’t a problem – needs shooting.

Myth : they cost £1.8 billion a year to control

The cost implications of Japanese Knotweed have been detailed in a report titled The Economic Cost of Invasive Species on Great Britain. These are not ‘extrapolations of extrapolations’ – these are figures based on detailed analysis of turnover from the major contractors working in the field of Invasive Species management.

This isn’t a myth - its fact.

Myth : Gardeners are responsible

Much has been made of where these plants originated from and unfortunately (sorry Mr Pearman) they originated from private gardens.

It has been proven time and again that gardeners share their prize plants and offer cuttings and seeds with colleagues and friends - and this is how many of our problem plants were spread around the country.

It is only recently through initiatives such as ‘Be Plant Wise’ that the British Public are being made aware of the problems that Invasive Non Natives can cause.

This isn’t a myth – it’s a fact

Mind you, I suppose if Japanese Knotweed provides ‘late pollen for bees’ – then it must be ok?

Mike C

Posted in Invasive Weeds Info, Japanese Knotweed Info | 1 Comment »

Invasive Non Native – what the hell does that mean…?

Wednesday, September 28th, 2011

What is an Invasive Non Native plant you may well ask? Well, an invasive plant can be described as a non-native plant (i.e. it doesn’t naturally occur within the area it is now growing) that has been introduced either intentionally or accidentally from other areas and is harmful to the environment, economy, animal or human health.

They will reproduce aggressively and displace the naturally occurring plant life.

This may not sound particularly problematic – what’s the big deal?

These plants can affect human and animal health and harm other plants that are important to the local ecosystem – can harm crops – and can have a devastating effect on property values.

Steps need to be taken to keep these plants form causing problems so that local ecosystems can start to flourish once again – without the danger of these aggressive plants.

This requires you – yes you - dear reader….to spot and report these plants to your local council. Our native species cannot speak for themselves they need a voice in the local community to look out for their wellbeing.

Learn to know what’s ‘native’.

Learn to know what’s ‘not’.

Complain – report it.

Mike C

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Have you left it too late?

Wednesday, September 21st, 2011

We here at Japanese Knotweed Solutions spend all year dealing with awkward plants, so we always say… ‘whatever the time of year – it’s always a good time to deal with your Invasive Weed problems’.

However – if pushed for the most ‘effective’ time of year to deal with these plants yourselves then late Summer and early Autumn are the best times of year to control Japanese Knotweed.

To have the most effective control, apply herbicides when the plants are not under stress. If the plants are already stressed they will not absorb the herbicide quite as well and you may not get the results that you are looking for. Believe it or not, many stands of Japanese Knotweed this year have suffered from drought stress – therefore applying herbicides after a good afternoon shower can be an ideal time to achieve maximum uptake of poison.

Japanese Knotweed starts to use more of its energy stored in its rhizome in late Summer and early Autumn so the herbicides are transported to the roots quicker – giving better results for your application. Apply the herbicide before the leaves start to show any colour change. If the plants are turning yellow or brown and are displaying Autumn colours then the uptake will be less effective.

For Japanese Knotweed herbicides with the active ingredient Glyphosate are the most effective. Glyphosate is a non-selective herbicide – killing or damaging all plants that it comes into contact with. It is absorbed by the leaves and freshly cut plant stems but has no soil activity – so it is not absorbed by the roots.

Ready to use products requiring no mixing are available form garden centres – these have lower percentage ‘active’ ingredients than professional products – but can be effective if you persevere.

Mike C

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Why Does Nobody Care….?

Wednesday, August 24th, 2011

What a pathetic, sad title for a blog… What I’m talking about are all the little parcels of land that nobody looks after.

Having visited Italy recently I noticed that every little bit of land is valued, or at least not completely neglected. Here in the UK you can drive along a well-maintained road then suddenly there is a small plot that is completely overgrown – (you can check this on your way home) – you will notice long grass with clumps of Ragwort, nettle, bramble, Himalayan balsam …and Japanese Knotweed…then…next to the unkempt land there will suddenly be a close cut lawn and high maintenance bedding and shrubbery.

Why is this??…surely land should be our greatest asset? Why do these little parcels escape our attention?

I can assure you that if tried to build on them or adopt them as part of your garden – someone would quickly claim ownership.

I guess it’s down to laziness or lack of funds to keep these areas tidy and managed…

Unfortunately this lack of care allows the invasive non-native plants an opportunity to thrive…which I guess is what keeps me busy…!

Mike C

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Look into my eyes, look into my eyes…

Wednesday, August 10th, 2011

One of our surveyors has just returned from a trip to Las Vegas where during a night out at a show – he was hypnotised (look into my eyes, look into my eyes….)

The hypnotist had him dancing like Michael Flatley and having sex with an inflatable doll – neither of which he remembers anything about…

So I’m thinking (look into my eyes, look into my eyes….) – maybe this is the way to get people to take action about invasive plants?

Every morning on Breakfast TV a hypnotist could take control of the entire nation and have them take action…

· All the Himalayan balsam gets pulled out of the ground – in a day

· All areas of Japanese Knotweed are fenced and identified – by Friday

· Giant Hogweed is fenced and sprayed – in a day

…and Zach continues dancing to River Dance…

Dream on.

Mike C

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Why Bother?

Wednesday, August 3rd, 2011

Why be bothered about Invasive plants? It’s a question I often get asked….

Well I suppose it’s a question of whether you are bothered about the quality of the environment?

Are you bothered about where you live? Do you care about your children and the world they will inherit after you have moved on….

I remember walks with my parents along rivers watching wild trout, spotting the occasional kingfisher or dipper. I gained an enthusiasm for nature and wildlife which still stays with me even in my current aged, cynical state. In fact I saw a kingfisher at the weekend and it still filled me with the same thrill as the first ever time I saw one as a child on the banks of the River Etherow in Glossop ….

What I’m prattling on about here is the chemical spills that decimated the trout on my local river 30 years ago. The river has never recovered.

The same lack of care that allowed the chemical spill has allowed the unchecked spread of Japanese Knotweed and Himalayan balsam which now adorn the river banks.

The chances of seeing a kingfisher on the river are zero – with the abundant prams, Tesco shopping trolleys and bicycle spare parts being a far more likely thing to see….

So going back to the question of Why?

It’s about putting a peg in the ground and saying ….NO….

If you want to see a return to British Native Species – then you just have to do something!

Mike C.

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Prostrate trouble?

Tuesday, June 28th, 2011

Just when you thought you knew all the different types of Knotweed a new one raises its head….or in this case lowers its head….let me introduce Prostrate Knotweed.

It’s fairly easy to identify with smaller leaves and a low growing prostrate form. Actually it’s pretty unlikely that you will see it as it’s still a rare occurrence.

The point of the blog really is to highlight that we must all keep our eyes open to unusual plants (and animals). People are getting in a panic about Japanese Knotweed – but – are they getting in a panic for the right reasons?

I wonder sometimes of I have done too good a job of telling people about invasive weeds?

Recent statements from Santander relating to mortgages seem to ignore the actual problems caused by Japanese Knotweed and ignore the specific situation ….BUT…. go into a knee jerk reaction of ….if there is anything that even looks like JK – NO MORTGAGE –

The point I’m getting at here is that maybe we shouldn’t panic when we see a name of a plant or hear that there is a new form of a plant that has been identified. When we should be focussing on – is whether the plant is really going to be a problem ….

So let’s not think about scare tactics or new named plants to worry about – let’s look more at the situation the plant is in – let’s be specific.

Then let’s be calm and sort out the problems plants from the not so problem ones…

Mike C

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Calling all landowners!

Wednesday, June 1st, 2011

Whether you own 500 hectares or a 1 acre small holding. Pease see latest article on Ragwort in the May  edition of Smallholder Magazine.

http://www.smallholder.co.uk/news/9023249.Watch_out__Watch_out__Ragwort___s_about/

It’s great to read that the ragwort campaign is still very active and there is still the drive to push not only smallholders but local authorities, large landowners that there is legislation relating to this plant that needs to be followed. It is also positive to see that the Welsh Assembly Government and sending out reminders – ‘The Welsh Assembly Government wishes to remind all landowner/occupiers, Local Authorities, Trunk Road Agencies and Network Rail that they have a statutory responsibility to prevent and control the spread of ragwort under the Weeds Act 1959. It is also a requirement under Cross Compliance.’

If you have any concerns about ragwort or want more information on what the legal requirements are, then please contact is on 0161 7232000.

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Eurovision Weed Contest…

Wednesday, May 25th, 2011

I obviously had too much to drink again on Saturday night as I ended up watching the Eurovision Song Contest – I know, I know – it was appalling….

It has inspired me to answer a question that often gets asked in presentations: … ‘is Japanese Knotweed a problem in other European Countries?’

Well …it’s not an easy one to answer without using the points system…

If JK gets a whopping ‘dix points’ for being a problem in England then around Europe it would record the following scores:

Ireland 6 points

Scotland 6 points

Germany 2 points

France 2 points

Rest of Europe nil points

However – if you were to include the rest of the world in the question you would see some interesting results – American and Canada have some serious issues (Google – Great Lakes - Japanese Knotweed?) …and we have had enquiries from as far afield as Alaska!

To answer the question ‘why is the problem so acute in England’… would take longer than a blog – and involves many factors…

Mike C

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Invasion – and its going on near you!

Wednesday, May 18th, 2011

Let’s be clear, somewhere near you, possibly even within sight of your front door – an invasion is taking place. It might not be a noisy ‘War of the Worlds’ type event – in fact it’s likely to be a more insidious attack – an incursion by stealth – but in many ways this is a far more effective way to take over a planet.

Invasive plants are everywhere and it’s only by fighting back with a defined strategy will we stand any chance at all of reclaiming our planet.

1 The first weapon in your defence must be identification – do this by checking out our websites www.jksl.com and www.iwsl.co.uk

2 Raise awareness – if it’s on council land - complain to your local authority

3 If nothing happens then erect fencing and signage

4 Make others in your community aware of the problems

5 Stop the aliens spreading

6 Reclaim your countryside

What might look like a picturesque treat may actually be an alien time bomb waiting to explode in the wild environment.

Mike C

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