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Japanese knotweed has been an increasing menace across the UK. Therefore, effective Japanese knotweed treatment is essential to both control the weed infestation as well as prevent further outbreaks and spreading.
REQUEST A QUOTEDon’t let the relentless invasion of Japanese knotweed cripple your buildings and property. Hoping for a miracle won’t solve the problem, but taking action and implementing one of our Japanese knotweed treatment plans will. With over 20 years of unrivalled expertise in the field, we possess the knowledge and experience to combat this invasive non native plant head-on. Trust us to provide you with the most cost-effective and efficient solutions to rid your land and property of Japanese knotweed once and for all. Take control of your property’s future and protect your investment from the potentially devastating impact of this invasive plant.
Before diving into Japanese knotweed treatment options, it’s crucial to assess the extent of the infestation. Our team will conduct a thorough site survey to determine the degree of the problem, identify watercourses and protected species and evaluate the site’s potential for future development. Based on this assessment survey, we can recommend the most suitable plan of action to control Japanese knotweed.
Herbicide treatment stands as one of the most cost-effective solutions for treating Japanese knotweed.
This method involves spraying herbicides on the foliage of the plant.
It’s important to note that herbicide treatment requires patience, as it generally takes 5 years to complete the treatment and will likely require a Japanese Knotweed Management Plan. It’s good practice to remove any dead canes over the winter that could hinder new shoots in the following Spring.
The herbicide used by Japanese Knotweed Solutions Ltd. is one of the few products approved for use near water sources. However, if the Japanese knotweed treatment occurs near an open watercourse, the Environment Agency must be notified and approval obtained. The repeated application of this herbicide effectively controls Japanese knotweed over time.
For those seeking a quicker solution, mechanical excavation offers an efficient approach to tackle the deep-rooted Japanese knotweed problem. In many cases, we excavate the Knotweed and then dispose the material to a licenced landfill facility. The area can then be backfilled with clean soil, making the area ready for use.
Alternatively, the excavated material can be kept on site in a waste management area or it can be buried on site in a heat-welded geo-textile cell that prevents root penetration. This method ensures the contaminated soil is isolated and prevents further spread.
MeshTech, an innovative and environmentally-friendly treatment method developed by JKSL in collaboration with Dr. Eric Donnelly, presents an alternative approach to Japanese knotweed treatment.
This technology does not use chemicals and has minimal impact on the surrounding environment. MeshTech not only controls Japanese knotweed but also protects fragile areas from soil erosion.
The process involves forcing the plant to sever its own stems as it grows against the mesh. Additionally, this method exposes the plant to increased damage by frost and rot, weakening it further until eventual death occurs.
On-site chipping has replaced traditional incineration techniques, offering a more environmentally considerate approach to treat Japanese knotweed stems that is equally effective.
This method involves carefully chipping the contaminated plant material, with the aim of minimising the risk of cross-contamination. Once chipped, the Japanese knotweed arisings remain on-site, rendering them unable to regrow. Alternatively, they can be removed to a licensed landfill.
Preserving our precious wildlife and safeguarding the natural beauty of our countryside is a cause close to our hearts. That’s why, here at JKSL, we operate with utmost care and in full compliance with the Wildlife and Countryside Act and the Environmental Protection Act 1990. We understand the importance of protecting native species and the delicate balance of our ecosystems.
By employing our expert knowledge and adhering to these essential legislations, we ensure that our Japanese knotweed treatment methods not only control the menace but also safeguard the environment for generations to come.
Composting, although requiring additional effort, has the potential to offer a lower-cost disposal and recycling solution for Japanese knotweed.
This method involves applying heat to the material to encourage cellular breakdown, with temperatures above 50°C being effective in killing the underground rhizome system. Careful management is crucial to avoid unintentional spread.
While composting treatment shows promise, and is shown to kill Japanese knotweed at its source, it should be approached with caution and implemented under controlled conditions.
Biological control, currently under trial, offers a more eco-friendly approach to Japanese knotweed treatment.
This Japanese knotweed treatment involves introducing native predators, such as psyllids, which naturally occur in Japan and feed on the plant. CABI (Centre for Agriculture and Biosciences International) and DEFRA (The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs) are actively researching and monitoring these methods.
While not available to the public, the potential for a natural and sustainable solution is promising.
Japanese knotweed poses a significant threat to properties, but it can be effectively managed and controlled through a range of treatment methods. From herbicide treatment and excavation to innovative approaches like MeshTech control, each method offers its unique advantages. By consulting with professionals like JKSL, you can develop a tailored plan to combat Japanese knotweed and regain control over your land or property.
No. It is not illegal to have Japanese knotweed on your land and you do not have a legal duty to notify anyone that you have Japanese knotweed on your land.
However, there are laws which cover the spread and transport of Japanese knotweed, and without taking action it is possible that you may commit an offence, or be liable for action in the civil courts (you could be sued).
It is an offence under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 to plant or cause Japanese knotweed to grow in the wild. Prosecutions are rare however, and JKSL are not aware of any charges brought under this legislation for allowing Japanese knotweed to spread into a domestic property.
Japanese knotweed (and soil or other material containing Japanese knotweed) is considered “controlled waste” under the Environmental Protection Act 1990. This means that if you move Japanese knotweed off your land there are various legal duties in how the waste is managed. Controlled waste can only be taken to licensed landfill – this is expensive, the material needs to be booked in with the landfill and there are limited sites which will accept Japanese knotweed materials.
You do not have any legal responsibility to treat Japanese knotweed – however (as outlined above), there are laws which cover what you must, can and cannot do with Japanese knotweed material.
In addition, there have been cases in the civil court where neighbours have been successfully sued for damages for allowing Japanese knotweed to affect adjacent properties.
Local authorities have the power to issue a “community protection notice” (CPN) to compel you to treat Japanese knotweed if it can be shown that you are causing an impact on “local amenity” through your failure to treat or manage the plant.
A Bristol company was prosecuted and fined £18,000 plus costs in 2018 for failing to comply with a CPN which ordered the control of Japanese knotweed on their land. The company was also ordered to secure a management plan from a specialist company within a month of the judgement.
Japanese knotweed is not the most damaging of plant species – but it can grow through tarmac and through small gaps or weaknesses in paving, concrete and other surfaces.
Where construction works are carried out in areas where Japanese knotweed is present, we have seen cases where the plant grows up through floorboards, or between gaps between the old and new construction, resulting in Japanese knotweed plants growing inside a house or commercial building. When this occurs, treatment becomes significantly more complex.
