JAPANESE KNOTWEED REMOVAL
Our specialists work with 5- & 10-year insurance-backed guarantee and a range of treatments, so you can get rid of Japanese knotweed for good.
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About Japanese Knotweed
Appearances can be deceiving and, whilst to some Japanese knotweed is an attractive plant, the Environmental Agency (EA) has identified it as stubbornly aggressive and invasive. That means, where it has been identified by the UK government as “controlled waste”, there are regulations when it comes to the identification, prevention, removal and disposal of the plant.
It is extremely hard to remove and eradicate Japanese knotweed without professional help, and there are laws around its encroachment and its disposal. So, the first step is to confirm and identify the existence of Japanese knotweed on your land.
Japanese Knotweed Identification
You may find it difficult to identify Japanese knotweed depending on the time of year, as appearance is seasonal and changes quite significantly. Typically, the first shoots of knotweed start to appear above ground as early as March, before aggressively growing up to 2cm every day. In the winter, whilst it may look dormant, the root system – known as the rhizome – can still be actively spreading underground.
The most common characteristics of Japanese knotweed include:
- hand-sized, shovel shaped leaves with a pointed tip
- creamy white flowers that appear late summer
- Zig-zag shape on the stem
- aggressivegrowth habits
The first step to handling a suspected Japanese knotweed infestation is to have it professionally surveyed and identified (you can get an initial idea by looking at our knotweed gallery). If you aren’t certain, a first step would be to emailclear photos of the suspected plant to info@jkws.co.uk for further advice.
Can I Remove and Kill Japanese Knotweed Myself?
Killing Japanese knotweed with weedkiller
Glyphosate-based weedkillers available from garden centres will all have a harmful effect on Japanese knotweed, however this is an incredibly slow process that requires at least three to four growing seasons to be effective and completely eradicate Japanese knotweed.
Killing Japanese knotweed with bleach
Do not attempt to kill Japanese knotweed with bleach. This will only damage your garden/grounds and the surrounding environment. Even if the use of bleach impacts its growth – it will not be sufficient to treat and remove it completely.
Killing Japanese knotweed with vinegar
There is no reputable evidence to suggest that vinegar is successful at treating and removing Japanese knotweed.
Cutting back Japanese knotweed
Despite some claims that Japanese knotweed will not regrow from cut canes, cutting back knotweed alone will not eradicate it.
How to Treat & Completely Remove Japanese Knotweed
There are a number of options when it comes to eradicating Japanese knotweed – from herbicide treatment plans and stem injections to excavation and burial. Hiring an expert with insurance-backed guarantees is one of the only ways to ensure thorough, long-lasting and complete eradication of Japanese knotweed that won’t pose problems in the future.
At Japanese Knotweed Specialists, our removal services are designed to offer not only thorough eradication of any knotweed problem, but peace of mind that once it’s gone, it doesn’t return. Our Japanese knotweed removal services include:
- Removal on sites from 1m2 to over 1000m2
- Both commercial and residential removal performed by accredited experts
- Surveys, both dog and human detection, to understand the extent of the problem
- Sifting and screening for rhizomes
- Cost effective herbicide treatments
- Off-site removal with accredited waste licences
- Insurance-backed guarantees between five and 10 years
See our breadth of solutions below:
Herbicide treatments involve spraying herbicide directly onto the foliage of the Japanese knotweed. Yearly applications of a herbicide treatment can control future growth.
An alternative to herbicide foliage spraying, stem injections involve injecting a concentrated dose of Glyphosate herbicide into each cane.
Sifting and screening is a method of removal that ensures all fragments and traces of knotweed are removed from the soil.
Japanese knotweed excavation solutions include: dig and dump, knotweed cap, on-site burial, dig and sift & on-site relocation.
A cost-effective method to halt the spread of Japanese knotweed – root barriers prevent the growth of roots, limiting their reach.
Controlled high-temperature Japanese knotweed incineration and removal from the affected site.
Why Is It Important to Treat & Remove Japanese Knotweed?
For commercial land developers, current homeowners, and those with pending mortgage applications, Japanese knotweed discovery can cause worry, headaches, and unexpected costs if not approached correctly.
Japanese knotweed can regrow with only a thumbnail’s worth (around 0.2g) of rhizome (the root system) left. Therefore, while a herbicide treatment can be effective in certain scenarios, , removal is the only way to completely eradicate it.
Japanese Knotweed Specialists offers a variety of removal services, including blended approaches, for instance applying a herbicide treatment and excavating.
Amongst Other Things, Japanese Knotweed:
- Makes buying & selling difficult
- Costs the UK economy millions in damages
- Has a reputation for being incredibly hard to fully eradicate
What Are the Long-Term Dangers of Japanese Knotweed?
While there are no impacts to human health, the damage to buildings, gardens and neighbouring land is vast, thanks to Japanese knotweed’s ability to spread up to 10cm a day in growing season. This invasive species will grow through concrete, tarmac and even building foundations.
Especially pressing for commercial developments where time and resources are finite and sensitive, project timescales can quickly come under costly jeopardy with a Japanese knotweed infestation. Conservation of the natural environment is also critical.
It's also illegal to let knotweed knowingly spread, and you could be fined or land a jail sentence in severe cases.
What are the Laws Surrounding Japanese Knotweed?
- EA (Environment Agency) Knotweed Code of Practice
- PCA (Property Care Association) Code of Practice
- Invasive Weed ASBO: The Anti-social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014
- Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981
- The Environment Protection Act 199
How Japanese Knotweed Specialists Can Help
- It Starts with Japanese Knotweed Identification
Once Japanese knotweed has been identified, you will need a survey to understand the scale of the problem.
- We Survey the Land
Our team of specialists will survey the full site to determine how to approach the problem. We do this to minimise removal costs, determine the risks of every project, and establish the environmental impact of treatments. During site visits, our PCA Accredited Surveyors will inspect your land and any surrounding areas for signs of knotweed (including overgrowth). In certain circumstances, this might be carried out by sniffer dogs.
- We Provide you with a Bespoke Management Plan
After completing the survey, you can expect to receive a detailed report and Knotweed Management Plan (KMP) within 5 working days (depending on the complexity and size of your project).
Our KMPs comply with “The Knotweed Code of Practice”, which means that our plans safely deal with knotweed encounters.
- Issue you with a Guarantee
Once a plan has been issued, approved, and paid for, then your treatment is guaranteed. Our work is PCA-approved and fulfils mortgage lender requirements, which is because our professionals can issue RICS- (the Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors) approved surveys.
Depending on the project, our guarantees can last up to 35 years. Optional GPI insurance policies can offer additional peace of mind
- Provide Aftercare
Once our team have treated and removed Japanese knotweed, we won’t leave you to deal with any future occurrences or issues that arise. We offer a holistic removal service, where we work with you to monitor the site post-treatment.
About Knotweed Management Plans (KMPs)
Japanese Knotweed Specialists will provide you with a Knotweed Management report after surveying your land, this report will include a:
- Written report
- Detailed quote
- Complete information pack
This report will outline the recommended treatment route moving forward, including when our technicians will visit the property as per the schedule.
As a market-leading company, our work is accredited by the Property Care Association and the Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors,
and is recognised by mortgage lenders. We work across the country and work with everyone from government agencies to private homeowners.
Flexible Treatment & Removal Options
We work across multiple sectors, both private and public, to offer our expert services, from consultancy to removal.
Residential
Our teams will work considerately in your home and garden to ensure our removal service is not only thorough, but protects the habitats you may have also. You can also rest in the knowledge that we have trained our removal staff to work around pipes, such as gas or plumbing, ensuring your day-to-day life isn’t affected.
Commercial
When preparing to develop a site, carrying out a survey and removal is best done before any construction starts. With our ability to carry out dog surveys, we can find knotweed all year round, and begin removal reactively to ensure your project isn’t delayed and can continue, backed by our guarantees.
Our Bespoke Live Reporting System
Our parent company, Grounds Care Group, uses a bespoke live reporting software called iView, developed over 12 years, and as a Japanese Knotweed Specialist customer, you will have access to iView. This gives you insight and scheduling reports, as well as access to receipts, quotes and documentation at the click of a button. Here, you can see the progress of your Japanese knotweed removal, all from your computer or phone.
Get a Rapid Response
Speak to one of our expert Japanese knotweed specialists today on 0800 122 3326. Alternatively, please fill in our contact form through the link below.