In 2021, RICS (the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors) published a report stating that at least 1.45 million UK homes were affected by Japanese knotweed.
Having knotweed on your property poses a lot of problems - it can reduce the value of your home, make your garden look rather unsightly, and it can even cause structural issues by growing through existing cracks and holes in fences, walls and so on.
If you've discovered this plant on your property, you probably want to get rid of it ASAP. But can Japanese knotweed be completely eradicated?
According to a study conducted by researchers from Swansea University, no - total eradication is not an achievable goal. So what can be done about Japanese knotweed?
Generally speaking, control and maintenance is a better and more cost-effective solution than physical removal. In most cases, it is not necessary to remove Japanese knotweed from your property completely; instead, we recommend a programme of herbicide treatment and monitoring.
How do I know what the right treatment method is?
The right treatment plan will depend on site conditions, and the nature of the surrounding environment. When evaluating the severity of a Japanese knotweed infestation, it's important to note that no two sites are ever exactly the same. Management of the plant needs to be tailored to the specific situation.
Variables include:
- Spatial limitations of the site
- Accessibility issues (for excavation vehicles and equipment)
- Purpose of the site - for example, are you planning to build on the affected area?
Weather conditions can also affect the choice of Japanese knotweed control method; for example, a root barrier cannot be installed on damp or wet surfaces as this reduces the robustness of heat-welded seals.
What is best long-term solution for Japanese knotweed?
In the majority of cases, we recommend herbicide treatment and monitoring as the best way to control a Japanese knotweed infestation.
A typical knotweed treatment plan from Taylor Total Weed Control involves treating the plant with regular applications of our specialist herbicides over a period of several years, followed by a period of monitoring to ensure the Japanese knotweed doesn't come back.
Spraying the plant with herbicide causes the rhizome root to gradually loses its regenerative power, which allows growth to be controlled more easily.
Why is herbicide treatment the best solution?
- It is extremely cost-effective, especially when compared to the cost of excavation and removal
- The treatment can be carried out in situ, reducing the risk of spreading the knotweed further
- It quickly reduces the plant's capacity to spread
- It quickly eliminates the plant's ability to exploit weaknesses in walls and other structures
- It's far less disruptive to your property than excavation and removal
Our Japanese knotweed control service is extremely affordable when compared to the majority of UK contractors. Our prices start from just £75 (plus VAT) per herbicide application – we usually recommend a course of herbicide treatments, although we can also dig up and remove your Japanese knotweed if the situation calls for it.
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