Invasive Weeds Treatment Methods
The task of eradication and removal of some of the most invasive weeds in the UK should really be left to professionals, like KleerKut. Some of the most destructive invasive weeds can cause serious property damage or public health concerns, and professional treatment methods are really the only viable option.
Problems with Invasive Weeds
A good deal of environmental legislation covers the plant Japanese knotweed, as roots can lie dormant for up to 25 years and this destructive weed can grow through concrete, bricks and tar, or even into drain courses and waterways. Japanese knotweed problems also make it difficult to sell properties or acquire loans for mortgages from high street lenders.
The Property Care Association recommends anybody with Japanese knotweed problems to seek professional treatments: “Its effective eradication is a job for the experts, so it’s vitally important for anyone who thinks they might have an issue to seek professional advice”.
Homeowners, managers of construction and development sites and teams concerned with the ongoing care of natural habitats and ecosystems all face ongoing issues with invasive weeds and often need to call in experts to handle their total eradication.
Some of the UK’s most invasive plant species:
Japanese Knotweed
As already stated, Japanese knotweed can cause severe problems when it is allowed to take hold. Some of the other most invasive non-native plants to be concerned about are the Giant Hogweed and Himalayan Balsam.
Japanese knotweed is particularly concerning in urban areas. The plant is native to East Asia and was commonly planted in Victorian gardens throughout the 19th century. It was first recognised as an invasive species in the early 20th century and became renowned for the damage it could cause to structures and hard surfaces. The invasive plant is covered in a good deal of UK environmental legislation, including the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 and anyone with Japanese knotweed in gardens or commercial sites is recommended to contact professionals to arrange for its removal. The longer a plant like this remains in situ, the greater the costs will be for its removal. Japanese knotweed grows extremely quickly and root systems can stretch out seven metres away from the plant and up to three metres in depth.
Attempts to remove or control Japanese knotweed by amateurs can often result in the plant spreading even further. It should be cut by hand, with roots pulled out entirely and these should be disposed of in a safe fashion at a licensed site, as this avoids any likelihood of the plant establishing itself elsewhere.
Attempts to dig out Japanese knotweed just result in thicker stem density and the smallest fragments of root rhizomes left in soils often cause the plant to regenerate. So, it’s also important that any soil from areas within a seven-metre radius of these plants should not be re-used either.
Shredding and chipping any bark or stems of Japanese knotweed will not stop the plant regenerating and it’s not recommended to compost this material, either. Dumping waste containing material from this plant is against the law. It really is that dangerous!
Giant Hogweed
Giant Hogweed is another species that was originally shipped into the UK as an ornamental garden plant. It’s actually a member of the carrot plant family and native to South-Eastern Europe. This invasive weed is now commonly found near rivers and watercourses in the countryside and on damper areas of wasteland.
This is a very invasive plant, with any plant producing up to 50,000 seeds that can survive in a state of dormancy for up to 15 years. The plant grows to a maximum height of five metres and any contact can cause severe skin reactions, particularly in sunny weather. Skin damage from these plants can take quite a while to heal and may leave pigmentation which can develop into ongoing dermatitis.
The removal of Giant hogweed plants will require a specialist management programme, using the right herbicides on a regular basis.
KleerKut are specialists in the removal of invasive weeds like Giant hogweed and Japanese knotweed. If you have a problem with invasive plants in any garden or on commercial sites, get in touch with our team of experts today. We also offer full insurance-backed guarantees to cover our weed removal treatments for terms of up to ten years.