There is no lack of invasive plants out in the wild but Japanese knotweed is in its own league. It’s everywhere. In fact, it’s so pervasive that even building foundations are not able to stop it.
Once it starts spreading, it completely takes over the landscape. You don’t want it in your property as it can seriously devalue a property. Many mortgage lenders don’t like to finance properties with Japanese knotweed in or around the property.
Where can I find it?
It’s not that difficult to find Japanese knotweed in the UK as it’s present almost everywhere. The Environment Agency has launched a new app for tracking the invasive species and so far, they have been able to discover more than 6000 locations. Knowing the location of infestation is beneficial for property buyers as they can avoid those areas.
In order to completely remove Japanese knotweed from any area, you need to have a multipronged strategy and attack it multiple times. Some of the common approaches for the removal of Japanese knotweed include cutting it down to the ground, using tarps to smother it, using herbicide to kill it, or digging out the rhizomes.
Using a professional removal service is also an option if you’re not able to get rid of it on your own. As a side point, you might want to see ‘insurance backed guarantee japanese knotweed‘.
Can I remove it myself?
You can certainly get rid of Japanese knotweed on your own but it’s not going to be easy. In fact, it’s a tough task and takes a lot of time. This invasive species has the potential to grow by up to 10 cm in 24 hours. You can now understand the extent of its growth and this is why it can be difficult to remove it completely. You need to be quick and effective.
Tips to Remove Japanese Knotweed Permanently
Every Japanese knotweed infestation is different. There are a few steps you will need to take in order to get rid of it completely. Here is what you should do:
The most important step is to identify the start of infestation as early as possible. It will make your job easy and prevent any further growth.
You need to cut down the canes. Make sure you cut them down as close as possible. Don’t forget to get rid of the cut pieces. Make sure nothing remains in your garden.
Use a weedkiller that is glyphosate-based. Spray it immediately under the plants once you have cut down the canes. This weedkiller will kill any kind of vegetation. You need to be careful when using it.
The weedkiller will take some time to get to the roots. It is recommended to wait for at least a period of seven days. 7 days after the spraying of weedkiller pull out all the dead knotweed. Make sure all the roots are completely pulled out.
Make it a habit to mow down the plants on a weekly basis. The plants should be cut down as short as possible every week in order to prevent re-growth.
Make sure you reapply for glyphosate-based weedkillers every week. Using it only once isn’t going to kill all the Japanese knotweed.
Ideally, weedkiller needs to be applied twice each year. Try to spray it around the time when it thrives the most.
As mentioned above, it is not easy to get rid of Japanese knotweed permanently. It is recommended to get in touch with a professional if your DIY attempts aren’t working. They have the experience and they will get rid of it permanently.
Tips For Burning Japanese Knotweed
After the removal of Japanese knotweed, it needs to be disposed of quickly. If it isn’t removed quickly, it might spread further. There are a few ways for proper disposal of this invasive plant:
- Bury it deep after installing a root barrier
- Hire professionals to do it for you
- Hire a specialist to treat it and make it ready to take it to a licensed landfill
All these methods work but there is always the risk of it returning in case any seeds escape if you do it on your own.