Our Japanese Knotweed Treatment and Removal Solutions
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. Knotweed treatment typically involves herbicide applications across multiple growing seasons or full excavation for faster results.
Here at Japanese Knotweed Specialists, we offer a full range of services such as knotweed identification, treatment, and removal. We provide these services across the UK, including areas like Manchester, Surrey, and London. All of our services come with a guarantee for your peace of mind.
Japanese Knotweed Removal - Our Expert Process
Japanese knotweed removal is the process of professionally eliminating invasive knotweed to prevent structural damage and legal complications.
Our proven process to remove Japanese Knotweed works on any size site, whether 1m2 in size or 1000m2.
- 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 knotweed treatment 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). This will outline your Japanese knotweed treatment plan and include:- Written report
- Detailed quote
- Complete information pack
- Issue you with a Guarantee
Once it has been issued, approved, and paid for, your Japanese knotweed management plan 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 also offer additional peace of mind.
- Provide Aftercare
Once our team has treated and removed Japanese knotweed, we won’t leave you to deal with any future occurrences or issues that arise. We offer a holistic knotweed removal service, where we work with you to monitor the site post-treatment.

As a market-leading knotweed removal 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 Knotweed Treatment & Removal Options
We work across multiple sectors, both private and public, to offer our expert services for eradicating Japanese knotweed, from consultancy to removal.

Residential
Our teams will work considerately in your home and garden to ensure our knotweed removal and disposal 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.
Frequently Asked Questions
How can I identify Japanese knotweed?
Japanese knotweed changes appearance throughout the year, so it can be difficult to identify. In spring, reddish-purple shoots emerge and grow rapidly, up to 2 cm per day. By summer, the plant has large, spade-shaped green leaves and creamy-white flowers. In winter, the plant dies back above ground but its underground root system (rhizomes) continues spreading.
Key characteristics:
Shovel-shaped leaves with pointed tips
Hollow, bamboo-like stems with a zig-zag pattern
Creamy flowers in late summer
Rapid, aggressive growth
Why is Japanese knotweed treatment important?
If left untreated, Japanese knotweed can cause serious damage to buildings, gardens, and infrastructure. Its root system is incredibly resilient, even a tiny fragment can regrow.
Professional knotweed treatment, such as herbicide applications or excavation, is essential to prevent costly repairs, legal issues, and delays in property sales or development projects.
How do professionals treat and remove Japanese knotweed?
Specialists use two main methods:
Herbicide treatment: Multiple applications over 1-4 growing seasons. Suitable for less urgent infestations.
Excavation and removal: Physically removing the roots and contaminated soil. Best for sites needing fast clearance.
Blended approaches are also common, combining both methods.
The approach depends on access, urgency, environmental risk, and budget.
What is a Japanese knotweed management plan?
A management plan outlines how the infestation will be dealt with, including survey results, treatment strategy, timelines, and aftercare. These plans are often required by mortgage lenders, developers, and local authorities.
Most plans are backed by long-term guarantees and include compliance with PCA and RICS standards.
How long does Japanese knotweed treatment take?
Herbicide treatment typically takes between one and four growing seasons, depending on the size and severity of the infestation.
Excavation offers near-instant results but is more disruptive and expensive.
After treatment or removal, monitoring continues as part of a guarantee-backed aftercare plan.
Can I remove or kill Japanese knotweed myself?
DIY methods like weedkiller, vinegar, bleach, or cutting the plant back are usually ineffective and can make the situation worse.
Glyphosate-based herbicides may weaken the plant but require years of repeat application.
Bleach or vinegar can harm the environment and won’t reach the underground rhizomes.
Cutting does not stop regrowth.
Only professional removal or treatment will fully eradicate knotweed and satisfy legal and lending requirements.
What are the legal rules around Japanese knotweed?
In the UK, it’s illegal to allow Japanese knotweed to spread into the wild or onto neighbouring properties.
Key regulations include:
Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981
Environmental Protection Act 1990
Anti-social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014
Environment Agency and PCA codes of practice
Failure to comply can lead to fines or prosecution, especially in commercial or development settings.

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.
