Treatment and Control of Japanese Knotweed Merthyr Tydfil by Experts- Green Leaf Remediation

Green Leaf Remediation Specialists covers the whole of South Wales (including Merthyr Tydfil, Swansea, Cardiff and Newport), West Wales up to North Ceredigion & Powys and throughout South Glamorgan & Gwent. We also carry out contracts in the West Country, as far North as Shropshire and into the Midlands & Birmingham areas. If you have or think you may have Japanese Knotweed Merthyr Tydfil or the surrounding areas then contact us on 01269 591651 or 07531142316 and one of our Knotweed experts will be able to help.

We are a fully qualified Japanese Knotweed Certificated Surveyor (JKCS) and a family run business We specialise in managing Japanese Knotweed, other invasive plant species and ‘general nuisance weeds’ that 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 practical 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

About Japanese Knotweed?

• Japanese Knotweed is a perennial weed that will grow and spread speedily if not controlled quickly
• The weed suppresses all other plants and flowers growing around it from it’s crown and rhizomes (root system) that spread extensively below the ground
• The shoots die out above ground during the winter and re-emerge above ground once more in late springtime, early summer months
• Any well-established shoots can grow more than 9ft high and may colonize the soil within a few years
• There are numerous articles that say you are able to kill the roots with chemical substances, however, you 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
• There are several myths that say it is possible to remove Knotweed by hand, however, it is really an extremely hard and complicated procedure and frequently, not successful unless you work with a Knotweed Specialist
• In the height of the growing season, 60% of the Knotweed plant is its roots below ground so removal is very challenging and it spreads wildly from one tiny fragment of crown or rhizome
• Removing Knotweed material without having extensive knowledge carries a very high risk of spreading the plant to other areas of the soil that have been previously unaffected

Removal & Control of Japanese Knotweed

There are various methods of eliminating Knotweed and a Knotweed Expert will be able to give you advice on the best and most efficient approach.

• Merthyr Tydfil Stem-Injection is a low impact way of removal and there is little chance of disturbing or killing the plants and flowers growing about it. The stem-injection technique is used for smaller sized areas of Knotweed where it has established itself between plants and vegetation that you would like to keep. Additionally, it is an approach often utilised when Knotweed is in close proximity 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
• Merthyr Tydfil Foliar Spray Application is often used and is among the most favourable control strategies as well as stem-injection. The process can be used to manage the Knotweed over numerous growing seasons. Dependent upon how large the area of Knotweed is it is normally sprayed 2-3 times in the first year and once in the following years. The chemical used is an Environment Agency approved herbicide and needs dry weather conditions as well as the soil to remain undisturbed in the following years to be effective
• Merthyr Tydfil Weed Wiping Method is when the leaves of the plant are wiped with a sponge which is soaked with the required herbicide. This is a low impact treatment method and does not kill or disturb the plants encircling it, nevertheless, its use depends on the size of the area of knotweed
• Merthyr Tydfil Bund/ Stockpiling Method is a combined treatment using stem-injection or foliar application, then digging up the underground material and removing the soil and materials to a different location in which the emergence of ‘new shoots’ can be subjected to further herbicide application. This approach is used on sites where you need the removal of the knotweed to be fast and not done over several seasons so is therefore specifically good for building plots and development sites as work can continue immediately
• Merthyr Tydfil Cell Burial/Root Barrier Method is a treatment employed if you have enough space on site to create a cell burial or making use of a root barrier to prevent the considerable expenses 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. Again, an approach most often used on development sites when construction work needs to commence promptly
• Merthyr Tydfil Excavation & Removal Off-Site is a legitimate and quick control option which has its advantages for development sites if performed correctly, however, a great deal of Knotweeds Experts are not advocates of it simply because it raises substantial logistical complications. The challenges being it comes with an extremely high risk of the Knotweed spreading and also the cost to safely transport the material to a designated landfill site. There’s also a substantial 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 Poisonous to Dogs, Cats and Humans?

Essentially, Japanese Knotweed isn’t toxic and harmful to dogs, cats, people or any other animals like some other extremely invasive plants. It’s not harmful to touch, nonetheless, always employ extreme care when in close proximity to it to avoid inadvertently allowing it to spread.

Japanese Knotweed would probably be known as ‘poisonous’ by developers and homeowners due to the very invasive growth, the capability to spread from a tiny particle left and just how difficult it is to remove fully.

Japanese Knotweed Misconceptions

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

Essentially, if the previous groundwork or construction has been performed to a sufficient standard then Knotweed will not grow ‘through solid concrete’, it won’t destabilise solid foundations and it is highly unlikely to ‘cause’ structural damage. In truth, these claims are deceiving, to say the least, and in many cases untrue.

There are a few instances if your foundations or concrete are old, poorly constructed and have pre-existing cracks or fractures within that Knotweed will manipulate any weak spot in its pursuit of light and water and will quickly establish itself, whilst exacerbating the original fracture and perhaps cause the structure to disintegrate.

There are many contractors who operate within the UK weed control industry who are respectable, knowledgeable and who specialise in the control and management of Japanese Knotweed. There are however a lot of businesses who claim to have the experience, qualifications and accreditations to ‘eradicate’/ ‘eliminate’ Japanese Knotweed at low cost, however, we would advise anyone to exercise caution and to ensure that the service provider/ business you enlist to carry out the control programme are qualified to do so and that they adhere to the industry codes of practice.

Contact us today on 01269 591651 or 07531142316 if you have or think you may have Japanese Knotweed Merthyr Tydfil or the surrounding areas and one of our experts will be able to answer any questions you might have and can arrange a site visit to assess and advise you of the best Knotweed Removal process to suit your circumstances.