Fighting Alien Species!

Wednesday, July 9th, 2008

It may sound dramatic but its war out there!

A recent site description by a client included the following introduction: ‘…where there isn’t Japanese Knotweed there is Giant Hogweed, where there isn’t Giant Hogweed there is Himalayan balsam and anything that’s left is covered with Ragwort…’ . This wasn’t a site in the middle neglected countryside this was brown field land in the centre of London!

When describing ‘alien’ plants to clients one often jokingly describes Japanese Knotweed as being like a ‘triffid’ (for those of you too young to remember this was a 1951 John Wyndham horror book/TV show - about a man eating plant). The joky reference belies the serious nature of a Japanese Knotweed infestation which can have devastating effects on both development sites and on native flora and fauna.

Japanese Knotweed grows to the preclusion of all native species and causes serious damage to hard surfaces and building foundations. The fight is taken up by teams of qualified sprayers and environmentalists who armed with toxic chemicals spray and inject poisons into the alien plants.

It may not be star wars or even rocket science but unless the aliens are stopped dead in their tracks there will be little of our native countryside left to enjoy.

For a battle plan – speak to Mike Clough Commander in Chief – Alien busters – on 0161 723 2000

Posted in Japanese Knotweed Info | No Comments »

Tough times, Creative solutions!

Wednesday, July 2nd, 2008

When you first come across a Japanese Knotweed infestation on a site that you have bought most clients are horrified at the potential cost implication and delays that can be caused.

We have often seen people turn a sickly shade of grey when told that a three year delay is inevitable or an off site removal bill running into hundreds of thousands of pounds.

Chemical treatment is the most cost effective treatment option however this can take between three and five years of repeat spraying to achieve total eradication. The shortest timescales can be offered by off site removal of waste to a licensed facility however it is this option which is the most prohibitively expensive.

Some of the more recent additions to the ever growing list of Japanese Knotweed eradication companies offer untried solutions with tempting timescales, silly acronyms and cheap prices. However before accepting the lowest price, remember Japanese Knotweed would not be such a problem – if quick cheap solutions were available!

Strict legislation is in place to try and halt the spread of Japanese Knotweed and is the threat of legal action and heavy fines that ensures that developers must comply with the Environment Agency (EA) Code of Practice for Management and Eradication of Japanese Knotweed.

Japanese Knotweed Solutions Ltd (JKSL) are more than aware of the current market conditions and have come up with a series of practical tried and tested solutions to keep projects on budget and timescales for development on track.

Keeping strictly within the EA Code of Practice JKSL will provide the most economic solution at the most competitive price to ensure that problem weeds do not put a stop to your development plans.

We have ways of making even the most difficult sites work and want you to benefit from our unmatched experience in this field.

Please speak to Mike Clough or Alex Dayes on 0161 723 2000

Posted in Japanese Knotweed Info | 3 Comments »

How does Japanese Knotweed spread so rapidly?

Wednesday, June 25th, 2008

Japanese Knotweed doesn’t spread by seed – so how has it managed to get throughout the UK so readily and so rapidly?

Japanese Knotweed spreads by what are called ‘propagules’ this means that any part of the plant, whilst still alive, has the ability to generate new growth. The often repeated phrase … ‘a piece as small as a fingernail can re-grow into a new plant’ is an accurate description of the ability of JK to regenerate. The problems in the UK are mainly down to cross contamination – small fragments of the plant being transferred form site to site by unknowing users – tree removal, surface scrapes, trial boreholes, contaminated plant and machinery all have contributed to the massive spread of the plant.

For a simple method to ensure Japanese Knotweed doesn’t spread on to your property ring Japanese Knotweed Solutions and as about our ‘Clean Site Policy document’.

And just for fun, here’s a beaver damn made out of Japanese Knotweed:

Posted in Japanese Knotweed Info | 1 Comment »

World’s most boring man?

Friday, June 6th, 2008

Having traveled the country holidaying with my family I have gained the nickname of ‘Worlds Most Boring Man…!’ How can this be you must be asking?

Whilst holidaying in Scotland with family we stayed on the banks of Loch Lomond in a small country park – full of Japanese Knotweed! I ended up spending the week advising local land owners how to deal with the problem.

Whilst holidaying in Portmeirion in Wales I noticed Japanese Knotweed growing in the ornamental flower beds and flagged the problem up to the gardening team.

When staying at the Hotel du Vin in Winchester recently I noticed that the car park had a serious Japanese Knotweed infestation – again I ended up advising the garden team how to eradicate the plant…

Wherever I travel through the UK Japanese Knotweed continues to spread unchecked. It would appear that ignorance is the plants greatest friend with the general public still appearing unconcerned by this alien invader in their midst.

I have taken the step of contacting land owners whenever I spot a newly established stand of japanese knotweed and am hoping that others will follow this example.

PS My family no longer holiday with me!

Posted in Japanese Knotweed Info, Miscellaneous | 1 Comment »

Invasive Weeds – Why should I care?

Thursday, May 29th, 2008

Ever been for a river side walk and enjoyed the flowing water, the scenery, the bluebells, the insect and bird life? Well make the most of it, if Japanese Knotweed carries on spreading at its current rate you wont be able to enjoy the experience for much longer!

JK spreads at a phenomenal rate spreading 7m in all directions per growing season. On local rivers adjacent to our Manchester office you can watch as native flora and fauna disappear under the onslaught of Japanese Knotweed and Giant Hogweed. See Japanese Knotweed on the River Irlam in and around central Manchester, the Giant Hogweed in the frontage of The Lowry Hotel, Giant Hogweed in the Asda car park in Radcliffe!

Please log on and advise of any local infestations and the damage they are causing.

Posted in Invasive Weeds Info, Japanese Knotweed Info | 4 Comments »

Invasive weeds - who is in control?

Thursday, May 22nd, 2008

Who should you look to for advice about invasive weed problems? A fairly simple question but without straightforward answers:

The obvious answer to who should you look to for advice must be the Environment Agency (EA) – however the Agency’s main remit is flood control and water management: they do not have the funding to allocate huge resource to Invasive Weed Control.

It is a common misconception that if you spot or have Japanese Knotweed (JK) on site you must report it to the EA, this is incorrect. Yes the EA will give you a copy of their Code of Practice and yes they will give advice if you get hold of the right person BUT there is no centralised reporting strategy which gives clear coherent advice on exactly what you should do.

Currently it is not an offence to have JK within your site boundary and nobody can make you do anything about it. It is only when the japanese knotweed grows beyond a site boundary in to adjacent property that the law becomes an issue.

Changes need to be made if ever we are going to control the on going spread of Invasive weeds – those changes need to be lead by the EA who need additional funding and additional power, and supported by established and experienced companies such as Japanese Knotweed Solutions.

Posted in Invasive Weeds Info, Japanese Knotweed Info | No Comments »

Japanese Knotweed growing season

Sunday, April 20th, 2008

March and April see the busiest time of the year for Japanese Knotweed Solutions Ltd (JKSL) as invasive weeds begin to re-grow following their dormant period over the Winter months. Initial growth sees pink buds begin to push their way through last seasons old stems which have died back but still remain on the ground surface.

Growth is rapid at this phase and the untrained should be aware it is at this point that JK can be most easily transferred around your site. Crown material in the form of newly growing buds are easily broken and can be transferred on a muddy shoe or Wellington boot and spread around site.

JKSL will be featuring a selection of seasonal photographs to help identification throughout the year.

Posted in Japanese Knotweed Info | 2 Comments »