A: If you suspect that the plant is growing on your property, you are legally responsible to declare this fact and stop it from spreading. We strongly recommend that you contact a professional knotweed control company to eradicate the problem. To identify the plant, look for fleshy red shoots, large heart-shaped leaves that are growing in a zig-zag pattern along the hollow stems, clusters of cream flowers in the summer and upright-standing stems in the winter.
Get an Expert Japanese Knotweed Eradication Plan & Removal
Identifying the knotweed invasion on time & devising an effective eradication plan!
- Reputable knotweed control company
- Service guarantees of 5 to 10 years
- On-site inspections, free of charge
- Nationwide service coverage (excl. Scotland)
How Does the Japanese Knotweed Service Usually Go?
Fantastic Gardeners has partnered with a certified contractor and accredited invasive plants removal company, which has been deemed the best knotweed eradication service provider in the UK for 2017. Our partner works with NTPC-qualified and fully experienced technicians who are certified to employ professional-grade products and effective methods that have been approved by the Environmental Agency and SEPA.
Here’s what the knotweed identification process involves and what you can expect from the service:
- Request an on-site inspection - Book online or call us and we will arrange your free on-site survey with a knotweed removal expert.
- Meet the professional - The gardener will inspect carefully your property and confirm whether the invasive plant is present and to what extent it has spread.
- Confirm your decision - If you decide to work further with us, the expert will send you a survey report, a 5-to-15-years knotweed eradication plan, and a quote. The fee for the report will be subsequently deducted from your price quotation, should you proceed with the plan and treatment.
- The knotweed removal plan is applied - You’ll be invoiced and the first treatment session will take place on a day of your convenience.
Japanese Knotweed Removal Methods We Use
Depending on the scale of the issue and other factors, a range of knotweed control and removal methods can be applied:
- Herbicidal treatment - The method is very much used on large sites that suffer from an extensive knotweed invasion. The treatment may take up to 24 months so that complete eradication is achieved.
- Stem injection - A highly effective targeted treatment, suitable for application in environmentally sensitive areas.
- Excavation - The technique is used on active building sites, where once identified, the plants are excavated and treated on-site in a designated area, relocated on-site and buried in a sealed plastic membrane or they are disposed of in a licensed landfill.
- Root barriers - The knotweed root barrier installation is a preventative measure only, designed to stop the plant from spreading into a neighbouring property, for instance.
- Sifting and screening - The method is designed to reduce the cost of removing and burying a large quantity of contaminated soil prior to building work, for example. The top layer of the soil is sifted and screened for the presence of knotweed. The process takes no more than a couple of days.
Frequently asked questions
Q: How can I tell if I’ve got Japanese Knotweed in my garden and what should I do if I find any?
Q: How fast does the plant grow?
A: As the UK’s most destructive and invasive plant, you need to know that the plant can reach up to 4 metres in 10 weeks (growing 10-20 cm per day). The roots of the plant can grow up to 3 metres deep and up to 7 metres horizontally.
Q: Is the Japanese Knotweed toxic and when is the best time to apply the treatment?
A: Knotweed is not harmful to people but you risk spreading it if you touch it. If the treatment method involves the use of herbicides, they are usually applied in the summer.
Q: Can the plant cause damags to buildings?
A: Absolutely, hence the strict legislation, regarding its control. “In search” of water, weak spots in the building and cracks, the roots can weaken the foundations of your property, cause subsidence through disturbing the soil, as well as block drains.
Q: Can I get a mortgage or sell my house if there is knotweed on the property?
A: Mortgage lenders may require a survey report prior to making a decision to lend you the money. The bank may reject your application or request from you pay for a professional eradication treatment before you are presented with a mortgage offer. Regarding selling your property, you are legally liable to let the buyer know about the problem. You’ll be committing an offence if you hide the presence of knotweed in your garden.
Q: How can I dispose of knotweed? Can I burn it, for instance?
A: Under the Environmental Protection Act 1990, the aggressively growing plant is considered a controlled waste. Only licensed waste removal providers can take it away to a specialised landfill. If you decide to burn the plant, this must be done on your property after the plant has been cut down and dried on a plastic sheet, first. Dumping knotweed anywhere in the countryside may land you with a hefty fine.
Q: How much is the cost of professional knotweed removal?
A: A precise quote can be given only after an on-site survey has taken place. The cost will depend on the severity of the plant invasion and the methods used to eradicate the issue. The survey report costs £360 (incl. VAT) and the fee is deductible from the quotation.
Q: Does the service come with a guarantee?
A: Yes. Based on the type of plan and removal treatment you select, you will receive from 5 to 10 years of guarantee.
Q: Does the knotweed control contractor deal with other invasive plants?
Yes. You can get help with identifying and eradicating Himalayan Balsam, Horsetail, Giant Hogweed, Ragwort, Buddleja Davidii and more.
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