Japanese Knotweed Milford Haven Treatment and Control by Knotweed Experts- Green Leaf Remediation

• Do you think you might have Japanese Knotweed Milford Haven?
• Have you read on the internet how this could set you back £1,000’s?
• Have you been told it might impact your mortgage or ability to sell your home?

If you think you may have Knotweed at your property then Japanese Knotweed experts Green Leaf Remediation provides professional and qualified services for the treatment and control of knotweed in Milford Haven, and be assured it does not cost as much as you might think. We will come out to your home or business and will quickly establish if you have Japanese Knotweed and advise you of the best treatment method to remove and control.

What is Japanese Knotweed?

Japanese Knotweed which is sometimes also referred to as Bamboo & Peashooters is a perennial weed that grows and propagates quickly if not managed. The weed suppresses all other plants and flowers growing close to it from its crown and rhizomes (root system) that spread extensively below the ground. The shoots die off above ground in the winter and re-emerge above ground again in late spring and the early summer season. Any well-established shoots can grow more than 9ft high and will colonize the soil within a few years. There are many articles that say you’ll be able to kill the roots with chemicals, however, you will need an NPTC qualified person to work with any chemical substances as a result of new legislation which covers the management, and removal of Knotweed.

Japanese Knotweed Milford Haven Myths

There are numerous myths that say it is possible to remove Knotweed by hand, however, it is an extremely difficult and intricate process and usually, not successful unless you work with a knotweed specialist. In the peak of the growing season, 60% of the Knotweed plant is its roots underground so removal is quite difficult also it spreads wildly from one tiny fragment of crown or rhizome. Removing Knotweed material without having substantial knowledge has a very good probability of scattering the plant to other parts of the soil which were previously unaffected.

Some other Knotweed Misconceptions which can be taken advantage of by some contractors for their financial gain are:

• “It will grow through solid concrete”
• “It will destabilise foundations”
• “It will cause structural damage”
• “Property affected by Japanese Knotweed is not mortgageable”

Japanese Knotweed Facts

• If the previous groundwork or construction has been carried out to a satisfactory standard then Knotweed will not grow ‘through solid concrete’
• It won’t destabilise solid foundations and it is highly unlikely to ‘cause’ architectural damage
• If, however, the foundations or concrete of a property are old, poorly built and have pre-existing cracks or fractures within, then Knotweed will unquestionably exploit any weakness in its quest for light and water, and will definitely swiftly establish itself, whilst exacerbating the initial fracture and possibly cause the structure to disintegrate

Japanese Knotweed Milford Haven Removal, Control & Treatment Methods

There are several methods of eliminating Knotweed and a Knotweed Professional can give you advice about the best and most effective method for your property and needs.

Stem-Injection

A low impact way of removal and there is little chance of disturbing or killing the plants growing about it. The stem injection method is used for smaller areas of Knotweed where it has established itself amongst plants and vegetation that you might want to maintain. It is also a method often applied when Knotweed is close to a watercourse. The stem injection approach can be used in dry or inclement weather conditions and the soil can’t be disturbed following a treatment.

Foliar Spray Application

This method is often employed and is among the most favourable control methods as well as stem-injection. The technique is used to manage the Knotweed over a number of growing seasons. Dependent on how big the area of Knotweed is it is normally sprayed 2-3 times in the first year and once in the subsequent years. The chemical used is an Environment Agency approved herbicide and needs dry weather and also the soil to remain undisturbed in subsequent years in order to work.

Weed Wiping Method

The leaves of the plant are wiped with a sponge that is soaked with the required herbicide. It’s a low impact treatment and doesn’t kill or bother the plants encircling it, however, its use is dependent upon the size of the area of knotweed.

Bund/Stockpiling Method

This method is a combined treatment making use of stem-injection and foliar application, the ground is then dug up and the underground soil and material are removed and taken to a different location in which the emergence of ‘new shoots’ can be subjected to additional herbicide application. This approach is employed on sites where you need the removal of the knotweed to be quick and not done over several seasons so is therefore especially beneficial to building plots and development sites as work can proceed at once.

Cell Burial/Root Barrier Method

This is a treatment method employed if you have adequate space on site to make a cell burial or making use of a root barrier to avert the substantial costs of transporting the soil and waste to landfill. Cell burial buries the Knotweed waste to a minimum depth, or if encapsulated inside 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. This is an approach generally suited for development sites when construction work has to commence immediately.

Excavation & Removal Off-Site

This is a legitimate and quick control option that has its advantages for development sites if performed correctly, nonetheless, a great deal of Knotweed Authorities are not advocates of it as it raises significant logistical problems. The challenges being it comes with a higher than normal risk of the Knotweed spreading as well as the cost to securely transport the material to a designated landfill site. There is also a considerable duty of care requirements under the Environmental Protection Act (EPA) 1990. In conclusion, Excavation & Removal should only be used as an absolute last measure.

Is Knotweed Harmful to Dogs, Cats and People?

Essentially, Japanese Knotweed is not poisonous and harmful to dogs, cats, people or any other animals like some other highly invasive plants. It is not harmful to touch, however, use extreme caution when near it to avoid unintentionally allowing it to spread.

Japanese Knotweed can be termed as ‘poisonous’ by developers and homeowners because of its extremely invasive growth, its capacity to spread from a tiny particle and how difficult it is to eliminate fully.

About Green Leaf Remediation Specialists

Green Leaf Remediation Specialists covers the whole of South Wales (including Milford Haven, Swansea, Cardiff and Newport), West Wales up to North Ceredigion & Powys and throughout South Glamorgan & Gwent. Additionally, we carry out contracts in the West Country, as far North as Shropshire and into the Midlands & Birmingham areas.

We are a fully qualified Japanese Knotweed Certificated Surveyor (JKCS) and a family run business. We specialise in controlling Japanese Knotweed, other invasive plant varieties and ‘general nuisance weeds’ which are found in the UK for residential premises and property development sites.

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 within the forestry industry.

Our Qualifications & Accreditations include:

• 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

Although there are many contractors who operate within the United Kingdom weed control industry who are legitimate, knowledgeable and experts in the field, there are regrettably lots of businesses who claim to have the experience, qualifications and accreditations to ‘remove’/ ‘control’ Japanese Knotweed at low cost. We would advise anyone to exercise extreme caution and to ensure the contractor/ company you enlist to carry out the control programme are qualified to do this and that they adhere to the industry codes of practice.

If you think you may have Japanese Knotweed Milford Haven call us on 01269 591651 or 07531142316 and one of our experts can answer any questions you might have or arrange free a site visit and assessment.