Japanese knotweed
Many industries and property owners are concerned with Japanese knotweed & Invasive plant growth
What is Japanese knotweed?
Japanese Knotweed was originally introduced to the UK in the 1800’s as an ornamental plant and for cattle feed. With its complex and strong root system, it was also introduced to railways to support the banks.
Why should I be concerned?
Japanese Knotweed is an invasive species; in the UK there are no natural pests or diseases to keep the plant under control. The main problem with Japanese knotweed is the root system; this can cover an area of up to 3 meters deep and 8 meters wide. The roots are of such strength and vigour that they penetrate through walls, cement, tarmac, and brickwork putting house foundations and other buildings at risk.
How can ESP Help?
ESP Environmental has licensed technicians with National Proficiency Test Council (NPTC) qualifications for Japanese Knotweed control. Using licensed herbicides the plant can either be sprayed, where the herbicide is absorbed through the leaf, killing off the root system. Spaying may kill other local vegetation and plants nearby, where this is of concern stem injection can be used to target the Japanese Knotweed.
How long does it take?
The application process is relatively quick (depending on the size of the affected area). Often it will take several weeks before plants show signs of dying back, on average it takes 3 years with treatments at the beginning and end of each growing season to gain full control. It is difficult to eradicate Japanese Knotweed completely when well established highlighting the importance of early treatment.
Reporting
Every area which is treated by ESP will include a small electronic report complete with photos and log of treatments, the report will be updated every year if additional treatment is carried out.
We can draw up an official no obligation quotation. A three-year programme can be put into place to maximise the efficiency of treatment
Treatment
For maximum effect, treatment is carried out only between July and September (depending on each season’s climate & plant growth). ESP’s trained technicians will carry out foliar spraying treatment, in the event that the Japanese Knotweed is too tall or spraying may be carried on the wind and harm other plants or impact neighbouring land the stem injection technique will be carried out to prevent off-target applications.
A Variety of invasive plants and pest weeds can be controlled by ESP; we are also licensed for spraying near and on watercourses, (Application to Environment Agency required)
Note: Please note ESP Environmental is not currently associated with any property accreditations, ESP also cannot guarantee that the Japanese Knotweed will not return in the future. Even if the Japanese Knotweed has been removed from your property Japanese Knotweed may spread back into your property from contaminated neighbouring land
It is an offense to allow the plant to spread into neighbouring land.
Removal of Japanese Knotweed
ESP Environmental only carries out the treatment of Japanese Knotweed we do not remove any of the plants from its location.
Any further information may be found at the flowing link
https://www.gov.uk/guidance/prevent-japanese-knotweed-from-spreading
The following link is a publication written by Claire Mitchell.