Bought a House with Japanese Knotweed?

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Llandrindod Wells and the wider Mid Wales area has a lot of Invasive Plant Species causing problems. Often people don’t realise they have a problem until it takes over their property. As we approach the Spring and Summer these plants will become more evident in your garden or grounds.



In this article and accompanying pictures, I hope to give you some insight into establishing if you have these plants on your property, and what you should consider doing.



The Victorians introduced many Invasive Plant Species into the UK as a screening plant for their gardens. Their extensive root structures also helped to hold railway banks firm. Little did they know of the problems and damage these plants would cause once they took a firm hold in the UK.



For people who are suffering from problems with Japanese Knotweed and similar Invasive Plant Species on their property, it can be a nightmare finding out that you have an issue. Not only can it wreck your garden, in severe cases it can totally take over it, causing damage to both hard structures and surfaces.

Here are a few of the Invasive Plant Species that can cause you a problem:
• 
Japanese Knotweed - (Fallopia Japonica)

• Giant Knotweed - (Fallopia Sachalinensis)
• Bohemian Knotweed - (Fallopia Bohemica)
• Himalayan Knotweed - (Persicaria Wallichii)

• Himalayan Balsam - (Impatiens Glandulifera)



These Invasive Plant Species are classed as controlled plants under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981. It is not illegal for you to have Japanese knotweed (or similar species) on your property, but it is against UK law to cause or allow the plant to spread to your neighbours or into the wild.

If you have an Invasive Plant Species on your property, it is not a problem you should ignore. This is because the problem will only get worse. Mortgage lenders are very unlikely to lend to a potential buyer and this will make it very hard to sell a property with this sort of problem. Property surveyors will highlight an issue to your potential purchaser.

The root structure of many of the Knotweeds are extensive and they can travel long distances underground. This will cause it to potentially spread to neighbouring properties as well.

Due to the extensive root structure, this makes the plant very hardy and difficult to eradicate quickly. A treatment and monitoring programme will need to be implemented to interrupt the annual growing cycle of the plant. Even when it appears that the problem has been resolved the roots can remain dormant for a number of years before reappearing.



I have been aware of people paying thousands through fear to have a Japanese Knotweed (or similar species) treated. This should not be the case.



If you have a Japanese Knotweed or other Invasive Plant Species problem, this is what you should and shouldn’t do:

Things You Must Not Do:

- Don’t Panic.
- Don’t Cut It Down. (This could stimulate the roots and increase the problem).

- Don’t Try And Hide It.

- Don’t Ignore It.

- Don’t Try And Treat It Yourself From Reading Untrustworthy Sources On The Internet.

- Don’t Build Over It.

- Don’t Put A Weed Membrane And Stone Dressing Over It. (That Won’t Work).


Things You Must Do:

- You Must Take Positive Action.

- You Should Get Professional Advice. (I can help)

- You Have A Legal Duty To Deal With The Problem.

- Legally You Must Not Allow It To Spread, Especially To Adjoining Properties.

- You Need To Have A Professional Treatment And Monitoring Plan In Place.

- You Should Have A Professional Treat The Problem With The Correct And Effective Herbicides, In A Controlled And Legal Manner.



When you get Professional Advice, you will be far more at ease with the problem. The reality is it will not be a quick resolve. This is another reason why you should not delay dealing with the problem. But it should also not cost vast amounts of money to resolve the issue.



If you have read this far. Your next step is to contact me to help deal with the problem.



I look forward to hearing from you.


Jamie Jones

Jamie’s Garden Services