Control & Treatment for Japanese Knotweed Llanelli

Have you seen what you think might be knotweed at your property? Have you read how this is likely to cost you £1,000’s? Are you worried it may have an effect on your mortgage or the ability to market your home? Please don’t worry! Green Leaf Remediation provides expert services for the treatment method and management of Japanese Knotweed Llanelli, and you can be reassured it does not cost as much as you may be thinking.

Japanese Knotweed is a perennial weed, a native species which grows and spreads quickly if not managed effectively. Like an invasive weed, it suppresses all the other plant life growing around it from both its crown and rhizomes (root system). Its roots spread extensively and its underground growth is rapid, and you won’t know it is spreading before its too late. The shoots start to die off above ground in late summer through to the winter months and re-emerge above ground again in late spring, early summer. Any effectively established shoots can grow in excess of 9ft high and can colonise the soil within a few years if not actively and effectively managed. Several articles say you can kill the roots with chemicals, however, you will need an NPTC qualified person to use any chemicals and this is as a result of legislation which covers the management, and removal of Japanese Knotweed. There are many misconceptions that say it is possible to remove Knotweed yourself, however, it is an extremely difficult and intricate process and frequently, not successful unless you work with a knotweed expert. In its peak growing season, 60% of the Knotweeds roots are metres deep so removal is extremely challenging as well as you getting severe infestations as it spreads wildly from one tiny fragment of crown or rhizome. Removing Knotweed without substantial knowledge poses a high risk of spreading the plant to other parts of the soil which were previously unaffected.

If you are worried you may have Knotweed Llanelli, in South Wales, 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 and Birmingham areas contact us on 01269 591651 or 07531 142316.

How to eliminate Knotweed Llanelli?

There are many different treatment plans and ways of eliminating Knotweed. Japanese Knotweed Treatments should always be carried out by a qualified Knotweed Specialist who will be able to give you advice on the most effective removal process.

Stem-Injection is often used as a low impact method of removal and there is little likelihood of disturbing or killing the plants and flowers growing around it. The stem injection technique using a specialist herbicide treatment is normally used for smaller sized areas of Knotweed where it has established itself among plants and vegetation that you would like to maintain. It is also a method often used when Knotweed is in close proximity to a watercourse. The stem- injection process can be used in dry or inclement weather conditions and the soil cannot be disturbed following a treatment.

Foliar Spray Application is frequently employed and is one of the most favourable control methods along with stem injection and they are effective solutions when there is the growth of other plants and vegetation you want to retain. The technique is used to treat the Knotweed over numerous growing seasons. Dependent upon how big the area of Knotweed is it is sprayed with a herbicide application 2-3 times in the first year and once again in the subsequent years. The chemical used is an Environment Agency approved herbicide and requires dry weather, as well as the soil to remain undisturbed in subsequent years for it to be effective.

Weed Wiping Method is when the leaves of the plant are wiped with a sponge which is soaked with the required and specialist herbicide. This is a low impact treatment method and does not kill or disturb the foliage encircling it, nonetheless, this method’s use depends on the size of the area of knotweed.

Bund/Stockpiling Method is a blended treatment using stem-injection or foliar application, followed by digging up the underground material and removing the soil and material to a different location where the emergence of ‘new shoots’ can be subjected to further herbicide application. This method is employed on sites where you need the removal of the knotweed to be quick and not done over several seasons so is consequently is especially good for building plots and development sites as work can carry on at once. There is a considerable expense for this removal method as the transporting of the soil and material is subject to significant logistical difficulties due to it being classed as highly controlled waste.

Llanelli Tree ServicesCell Burial/Root Barrier Method is a treatment employed if you have enough space on-site to create a cell burial plot or making use of a root barrier to avoid the considerable expenses of transporting the soil and waste to landfill. Cell burial buries the Knotweed waste to a minimum depth, or if encapsulated within a geomembrane it can be closer to the ground surface. Root barriers can be installed both vertically and horizontally when there is a danger of cross-boundary contamination. Again, a method frequently suited for development sites when building work needs to commence quickly.

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 Authorities are not advocates of it simply because it raises significant logistical difficulties due to it being classed as highly controlled waste. The challenges being there is an extremely high chance of the Knotweed spreading along with the cost to securely transport the material to a designated landfill site if not carried out by a knotweed specialist. There is also a considerable duty of care required under the Environmental Protection Act (EPA) 1990. In conclusion, knotweed removal and excavation must only be used as an absolute final option.

Is Knotweed Harmful to Dogs, Cats and People?

Essentially, Japanese Knotweed is not toxic and harmful to dogs, cats, humans or any other animals like some other highly invasive plants. It is not harmful to touch, nevertheless, always employ extreme care when near it to avoid unintentionally allowing it to spread.

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

Knotweed Common Myths (some of which are exploited by some contractors for financial gain)

  • “It will grow through solid concrete and cavity walls”
  • “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 carried out to a satisfactory standard then Knotweed will not grow ‘through solid concrete’, it won’t destabilise solid foundations and it is highly, highly unlikely to ‘cause’ architectural damage. In fact, these claims are deceptive, to say the least, and perhaps, completely false. However, you should always remember it is a highly invasive weed which needs to be managed by a professional who understands and has the experience to safely control and remove it without it spreading further.

However, in certain situations, if your foundations or concrete are old, badly built and have pre-existing cracks or fractures within, then Knotweed will make use of any weakness in its pursuit of light and water and definitely will rapidly establish itself, whilst exacerbating the initial fracture and potentially cause the structure to disintegrate.

If a chartered surveyor surveys your property and establishes there could be Japanese Knotweed present then this will always be disclosed in their survey. A chartered surveyor values property and examines buildings for structural defects normally before you purchase it. A lot of mortgage lender companies will not agree to finance on homes where it has been identified there is knotweed present. there are some mortgage companies who will agree to a mortgage if there is a treatment plan in place with a knotweed specialist to control and remove it. Be aware that if knotweed from your property spreads to neighbouring properties or homes then you will be liable for not controlling it and you could face a heavy fine therefore legally it is your responsibility to manage it and prevent it from spreading.

South Wales Japanese Knotweed Removal Specialists offer specialist treatment options for Knotweed Llanelli and for the whole of South Wales (including 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 and Birmingham areas. We will come out to your property and complete a free Japanese Knotweed Survey which will identify if it is present and we will advise you on the best course of action. Whether you have a domestic or commercial property or land we can provide you with an effective knotweed treatment plan. Our knotweed management plans will vary depending on your property, site and needs and we understand that every circumstance, property and site is different.

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

We also provide tree services, such as pollarding, crowning, pruning and felling removal methods through our NPTC chainsaw operators, all of whom possess a vast amount of experience in 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

While there are several contractors who operate within the UK weed control industry who are respectable, knowledgeable and specialists, you will find there are companies who claim to have the experience, qualifications and accreditations to ‘eradicate’/ ‘eliminate’ Japanese Knotweed at a low cost. We would always recommend that you exercise caution and ensure that the service provider/company is qualified, they use the correct control programme, they are qualified and they adhere to the industry codes of practice for safe and effective Japanese Knotweed Removal. This is because it is such an invasive weed that will quickly spread if not managed correctly.

Call us on 01269 591651 or 07531 142316 and one of our experts will be able to answer any queries you might have and can arrange a Japanese Knotweed Survey visit for you. Our Knotweed Llanelli Removal Services are second to none and will give you peace of mind that it is being managed and controlled by a Japanese Knotweed Specialist.

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