Treatment and Control of Japanese Knotweed Warminster
– by Green Leaf Remediation & Removal Specialists
Japanese Knotweed is a perennial weed that grows and propagates rapidly if not managed properly. As a weed it suppresses all the other plant life growing around it by the crown and rhizomes (root system) that spread extensively below ground. Its shoots die above ground in the winter months and re-emerge above ground again in late springtime, sometimes early summer. At the peak of its growing season, 60% of the Knotweed is its roots underground which makes removal extremely difficult and it spreads wildly from one tiny fragment of crown or rhizome. Removing Knotweed without having significant knowledge carries a very high chance of spreading the plant to other parts of the soil which were previously unaffected so you should exercise extreme caution. If you think you may have Knotweed Warminster, contact Green Leaf Remediation & Removal on 0117 321 7799 or 07531142316 and we can answer any questions you may have and arrange a site visit to assess if it is Japanese Knotweed.
Well-established shoots can grow over 9ft high and will colonize the soil within a few years if it isn’t treated. There is information out there that says you can eliminate the roots of Japanese Knotweed with chemicals, however, the right chemicals and process need to be used to be effective and you also need an NPTC qualified person to use any chemicals as a result of new legislation which covers the management, and removal of Knotweed. It is a hard and intricate process to control effectively and usually, not successful unless you work with a knotweed specialist like Green Leaf Remediation & Removal Services.
Do you think you might have knotweed at your property?
Have you read online how this could cost you £1,000’s?
Have you been told it can affect your mortgage or potential to sell your property?
Don’t fret! Green Leaf Remediation & Removal can offer solutions for the treatment and management of Japanese Knotweed Warminster and be assured it does not cost as much as you might think.
How do you remove Knotweed Warminster?
There are different methods of treating, managing and removing Knotweed and a Knotweed Expert will be able to give you advice on the best and most effective approach for your property.
Knotweed Stem-Injection
Stem-Injection is a low impact way of removing Knotweed with little risk of disturbing or killing the plants growing close to it. The stem-injection technique is normally used for smaller sized areas of Knotweed where it has established itself between plants and vegetation that you want to maintain. It is an approach frequently applied when Knotweed is near a watercourse as there is minimal risk of pollution. The stem injection approach can be used in dry, wet or cold weather conditions but the soil needs to remain undisturbed following the treatment. An Environment Agency approved herbicide is injected into the stems of the Knotweed and this means it is not a treatment method that can be used on new growth of Knotweed as the stems need to be established.
Knotweed Foliar Spray Application
Foliar Spray Application is one of the most favourable control strategies along with stem injection. The technique is used to treat Knotweed over a number of growing seasons. Determined by how large the area of Knotweed is, it is normally sprayed 2-3 times in the first year and once in the subsequent year. The chemical used is an Environment Agency approved herbicide and requires dry weather and the soil to remain undisturbed in the following years to be effective.
Knotweed Weed Wiping Method
Weed Wiping Method is where the leaves of the plant are wiped with a sponge that is soaked with the required herbicide. It is another low impact treatment and it doesn’t kill or disturb the plants adjoining it. This method can be used on an area of Knotweed close to a watercourse, however, its use depends upon the size of the area of knotweed due to its application.
Bund/Stockpiling Method
Bund/Stockpiling is a blended treatment making use of stem-injection or foliar application, followed by the ground being dug up including the Knotweed roots and taken to a different location on site. When there is an emergence of ‘new shoots’ it is then subjected to a herbicide application. This method is frequently used on sites where the removal of the Knotweed needs to be quick and not done over several seasons making it one of the preferred methods for building and development sites as work can proceed without delay.
Knotweed Cell Burial/Root Barrier Method
This is treatment can only be used when there is enough space on-site to create a cell burial or where you can make use of a root barrier system which results in you not having the significant expenses of transporting the Knotweed soil and waste to a licenced landfill. Cell burial is where the Knotweed waste is buried to a minimum depth, or if encapsulated within a geo-membrane it can be closer to the surface of the ground. Root barriers can be installed both vertically and horizontally when there is a risk of cross-boundary contamination. Again, it is a method frequently used for development sites when work needs to commence promptly.
Knotweed Excavation & Removal Off-Site
Excavation & Removal Off-Site is a legitimate and fast control alternative that has its advantages for development sites if done correctly, however, a great deal of the Knotweeds Industry Professionals aren’t advocates of it because it raises substantial logistical complications. The challenges being there is a higher than normal chance of Knotweed spreading, as well as the cost to safely transport the material to a designated landfill site. There is also a substantial duty of care required under the Environmental Protection Act (EPA) 1990 when carrying out this procedure. Excavation & Removal should only be used as an absolute last resort and completed by a recognised, qualified and experienced Knotweed specialist.
All of the above treatment and control methods use an Environment Agency approved herbicide and needs an NPTC qualified person or business like Green Leaf Remediation & Removal to carry out the procedures to treat and remove Knotweed Warminster and throughout the South West.
Is Knotweed Poisonous?
Essentially, Japanese Knotweed is not poisonous and harmful to people, dogs, cats, people or any other animals like some other highly invasive plants. It’s not harmful to touch, nevertheless, you should always use extreme care when near it to avoid inadvertently allowing it to spread from a tiny fragment.
Japanese Knotweed is often referred to as ‘poisonous’ by developers and property owners due to its highly invasive growth, ability to spread from a tiny particle and how difficult it is to manage and remove.
Knotweed Myths
(many of which are exploited by some companies for financial gain)
“It will grow through solid concrete”
“It will destabilise foundations”
“It will cause structural damage”
“Property affected by Japanese Knotweed is not mortgageable“
Knotweed Facts
In simple terms, if the previous groundwork or construction has been completed to an acceptable standard and they are solid then Knotweed will not grow ‘through
It doesn’t destabilise solid foundations and it is highly unlikely to ‘cause’ damage
However, always be aware: if foundations or a concrete structure or pipes are old, inadequately constructed or have cracks or fractures, Knotweed will unquestionably exploit any weak spot in its search for light and water and will quickly establish itself, often exacerbating the original crack and potentially causing more damage.
About Us
Green Leaf Remediation & Removal Specialists covers the whole of the South West, the West Country, as far North as Shropshire and into the Midlands & Birmingham areas.
We are a family business and a fully qualified Japanese Knotweed Certificated Surveyor (JKCS). We specialise in treating, controlling and removing Japanese Knotweed, other invasive plant species and ‘general nuisance weeds’ which are found in the United Kingdom for residential premises and property development sites. We use proven methods and have insurance backed guarantees which means you can be safe in the knowledge that your knotweed is being treated by qualified specialists.
We also provide tree services, such as pollarding, crowning, pruning, felling, through our NPTC chainsaw operators, all of whom possess a vast amount of experience in the forestry industry.
Our Qualifications & Accreditations
City & Guilds NPTC Level 2
Principles of Safe Handling & Application of Pesticides (PA1/PA6)
Principles of Safe Handling & Application of Pesticides near water (PA6AW)
Herbicide Stem Injection
Property Care Association
The Control & Eradication of Japanese Knotweed Surveyor’s Training Course
Qualified Technician (PCAQT) in Japanese Knotweed
Accredited Surveyor in Japanese Knotweed
There are numerous companies who operate within the UK weed control industry who claim to have the experience, qualifications and accreditations to ‘eradicate’/ ‘eliminate’ Japanese Knotweed at a low cost, however, they are not qualified to remove, manage or control knotweed. We advise anyone needing to treat and remove Knotweed to exercise extreme caution and to ensure that the contractor/ business you enlist to carry out your Knotweed control programme is qualified to do so and that they follow the industry codes of practice.
Contact us today on 0117 321 7799 or 07531142316 and one of our experts will be able to answer any questions you may have and can also arrange a site visit to assess your property or site for Japanese Knotweed Warminster.
