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Do You Need a License to Remove Japanese Knotweed?

If you have spotted Japanese knotweed on or near your property and are wondering if you need a licence to remove it – in short, no you don't.

The legal standing surrounding Japanese knotweed across the UK varies. In England and Wales, the primary legislation relating to knotweed is ‘Section 14(2) of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981’. In Scotland, this is still the predominant piece of legislation but in effect has been superseded by the changes which came into force with the ‘Wildlife and Natural Environment (Scotland) Act 2012’. The law surrounding the management and control of knotweed across the UK, however, is practically the same.

Japanese knotweed is categorised as an invasive species, and it is the responsibility of the owner of the land where it appears to prevent it from spreading into neighbouring properties or into the wild. The removal of Japanese knotweed must also be performed with extreme due care and attention due to the sensitivity regarding its ability to spread. Currently, there is no legal obligation to remove or treat knotweed, just as long as you’re not encouraging or allow it to grow.

Guidelines set out by the government state that anyone wanting to use chemicals to treat an infestation of knotweed must do the some or all of the following:

  • Make sure anyone spraying holds a certificate of competence for herbicide use or works under the direct supervision of a certificate holder

  • Carry out a Control of Substances Hazardous to Health assessment

  • Get permission from Natural England if the area is protected, for example, sites of special scientific interest

  • Get permission from the Environment Agency if the plants are near water

The use of pesticides and chemicals in treating Japanese knotweed is governed by ‘The Control of Pesticides Regulations 1986’ and required any person who uses a pesticide to take all reasonable precautions to protect the health of human beings, creatures and plants. Once knotweed has been treated with chemicals, it will have to be disposed of in the correct way. Off-site disposals fall under the ‘Environmental Protection Act 1990’, which states disposing of Japanese knotweed must be conducted by a licensed waste carrier as stated in ‘Waste Regulations 2011’ and disposed of within a licensed facility. Relevant transfer notes must be completed and stored. If knotweed has not been treated before off-side disposal and simply removed, then it is not classed as hazardous waste. If certain pesticides have been used, however, then the waste moves into the hazardous category requiring a consignment note as set out in the ‘Hazardous Waste Regulations 2005’.

In 2013, the UK government stated that any person that fails to control Japanese knotweed along with other invasive weed could receive an anti-social behaviour order. On-the-spot fines of £100 can also be issued, potentially rising to £2500 if prosecuted. Companies also face fines of up to £20,000 if prosecuted

Professional Knotweed Removal

It is highly recommended that, if you have Japanese knotweed on or near your property, you use experienced professionals who know what they’re doing. If not, you risk allowing the knotweed’s rhizomes spreading even further, causing not only potential increases in damage later on in time but prosecution for facilitating the spread of knotweed. So, to avoid any of these issues, be sure to get in touch with the team here at Taylor Total Weed Control! Our Japanese knotweed specialist can identify and confirm the presence of knotweed on your property and devise a relevant plan of removal to ensure it is properly eradicated. You can learn more about our knotweed removal services below.

Japanese Knotweed Removal >

If you have any questions regarding our Japanese knotweed treatment or removal, then please do not hesitate to get in touch with us today!

Japanese Knotweed History

Japanese knotweed is one of the most - if not the most - invasive plant in Britain. As its name suggests, Japanese knotweed is native to Japan, where it is known as “itadori”. One interpretation of this name is ‘remove pain’ which alludes to the plant’s painkilling properties and use in various medicines to treat a variety of ailments ranging from cardiovascular diseases, fungal infections and skin inflammations.

Knotweed can also be found in other parts of Asia, such as China, Taiwan, and areas of Korea. In Japan, knotweed grows freely on mountainsides, volcanoes, and open spaces, which is a little different compared to the UK. In Japan, knotweed has natural predators that come in the form of invertebrates, fungi, ash deposits from volcanoes, and an erratic climate. In Britain, however, there are no natural predators to limit the spread of knotweed.

The history of Japanese knotweed is not as simple as you may think. How did it get here in the first place? Why did it spread so vigorously? And why is it such a problem today? 

In this blog post, we take a deep dive into the history of Japanese knotweed to find some answers to the many questions surrounding this pesky plant.

More...

A housing estate in Sturrocks in Basildon could see the value of its properties take a notable hit following the increasing growth of Japanese knotweed in the area.

 

japanes knotweed house prices

 

Effects of Japanese Knotweed on House Price

Japanese knotweed has a dark and storied history in the property industry and is commonly vilified in the media as a fiendish and fearful infestation – and rightfully so.

The mere presence of the invasive plant can have a decidedly negative influence on house prices and, if left untreated, the knotty vine even has the potential to inhibit the structural integrity of the property.

As such, quick action is necessary and it's recommended that treatment begins as soon as a Japanese knotweed infestation is discovered. Sadly, such recommendation was not followed by Basildon Council…

 

Deaf Ears

Despite reporting the presence of Japanese knotweed to the local council for six months, residents of Basildon’s Vange estate have had to stand idly by and watch the growing problem escalate as their pleas have fallen on deaf ears.

 “It’s disgusting that the council isn’t dealing with this”, said local resident Caroline Baxter. “We all pay our rates and shouldn’t have to deal with this going on here.”

Another inhabitant of the area, Barry Jones, also took aim at the council with his remarks:

“I think the council needs to get its act together and fix this issue. If they had done something about it then, it would have been gone by now.

“I will be so angry if the plant damages my garden and or home. If it’s left too long the whole estate will be covered in it.”

 

Delayed Reactions

Mr Jones also went on to highlight the safety hazards that knotweed brings to the area, noting that “people have suffered burns and blisters from the plant in the past”.

Commenting on the situation, a spokesperson for the local council had this response:

“We recently identified a case of Japanese Knotweed in Sturrocks and it was added to our contractors spraying list and has had its first spray.”

However, with a six-month head-start, have the council left it too late to nip this issue in the bud? One thing is for sure, they have definitely not made their job any easier.

 

Japanese Knotweed Treatment

As we touched on earlier, the sooner you address the problem, the quicker you will overcome it. As such, early diagnosis and early treatment is a vital part of the process and can be the difference between widespread problems and wholesale relief.

You notice a Japanese knotweed issue on your property, a neighbouring property or in the locale, it’s well worth getting it checked out. As seen in this instance, the council have a habit of dragging their feet and the issue is only likely to get a whole lot worse.

At Taylor Weed Control, we are fully equipped to tackle your knotweed nuisance once and for all and can quickly and efficiently banish your Eastern enemy from whence it came. All it takes is a phone call!

 

For more information on Japanese knotweed treatment from Taylor Weed Control, why not drop us a line? Call now on 029 2039 7554 to speak with one of our experts or get in touch online to request a FREE knotweed survey today.

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Japanese knotweed may appear to die during the cold winter months, but it's probably still alive and lying dormant beneath the soil.

Tree in winter

As the calendar cascades from shimmering summer to auburn autumn and beyond, the weather naturally starts to get colder.

In fact, as soon as the clocks go back, it's not unusual for the temperature to drop faster than a microphone at a rap battle.

While the frosty cold and bitter chill can be a stark reminder that summertime has indeed been consigned to history, it does have its perks - particularly when it comes to garden weeds.

Most garden weeds will die out during the wintertime and spend the cold months either biting the dust or kicking the bucket - either way, few tears will be shed in remembrance.

But does Japanese knotweed die off in winter as well? Let's find out...

 

To Have and Have Knot

Anyone unlucky enough to have fallen foul of Japanese knotweed in the first place has likely been left frustrated to the point of nausea by the relentless persistence of the wicked weed.

However, the summertime supremacy of this invasive species does recede during the winter, losing its leafy greens and taking on a far less intimidating brittle brown appearance.

While this may seem to be a welcome reprieve for gardeners, don't let this faux farewell fool you.

Battle-tested knotweed veterans will know that this is all a clever ruse, perpetrated by the pesky plant to lull you into a false sense of security.

 

What Lies Beneath

Though Japanese knotweed may appear to die in winter, appearances can be deceiving.

While the colour may change and the canes may recede, a death this certainly is not. Sadly, the wintertime is merely a power-nap for Japanese knotweed, and sooner or later, the plant will rear its ugly head once more.

Such a miraculous resurrection might seem almost unfathomable, but this is no miracle. Despite the frail shoots, the knotweed rhizomes remain healthy and virtually unscathed beneath the soil and merely lay dormant in the ground throughout the winter period.

As winter turns to spring, your Japanese knotweed will rise once more like a phoenix of frustration from the ashes, ready to unleash its wrath on your garden once more.

 

Treating Japanese Knotweed in Winter

If you have Japanese knotweed present in your garden, why not give yourself an early Christmas present and serve your unwanted guest a festive eviction notice?

At Taylor Total Weed Control, our weed-whacking warriors are armed to the teeth with an itchy trigger finger to match - they're ready, willing and able to blow your knotty no-goodnik to smithereens.

With over 15 years of experience in the weed removal game, we have the power to banish the vexatious vine from whence it came. All you have to do is ask!

Request a FREE Japanese knotweed survey

House hunters are being urged to exercise extra caution this winter as signs of Japanese knotweed become less obvious and increasingly difficult to detect to the untrained eye.

As the seasons take a turn and the autumn/winter cold takes hold, the pesky plant begins to recede into dormancy and retreat from obvious view, making it easy to overlook.

For those looking to buy a house during this time, the increased inconspicuousness can lead to a property purchase that soon becomes a big regret.

 

Worrying Statistics

While it’s a legal requirement for homeowners to inform potential buyers of any Japanese knotweed present on their property, that fact doesn’t stop everyone from trying to pull the wool over the eyes of would-be buyers.

In fact, a recent survey conducted by online market research and data analytics firm, YouGov, showed that a worrying 4% of those selling a property with JKW would attempt to cover it up it hopes of securing a sale and avoiding devaluing their property.

This statistic isn’t helped by the further YouGov study that revealed that just 19% of Brits could identify Japanese knotweed when faced with the plant. Meanwhile, this fact can be made even worse when a dishonest seller is actively trying to hide the problem.

 

Notable Impact

The figures once again highlight the increasingly notable impact that Japanese knotweed infestations are having on the housing market, affecting both those looking to sell their properties and those looking to buy.

Nevertheless, such knotweed nightmares shouldn’t be a total deal-breaker when it comes to purchasing a property. A professional treatment plan can actively knock the issue on the head and see any housing horror stories put to bed like a naughty child.

 

Professional Treatment

If you’re considering buying a property with Japanese knotweed, any weedy worries you may have can be fixed and put to rest with our team of professional experts, dedicated to soil refinery and ready to get to the root of the problem.

At Taylor Weed Control, we have over 15 years’ experience battling Japanese knotweed tooth and nail (or, more accurately, shoot and root) and have the art of knotweed warfare down to a sweet science.

Not only are we registered with the Property Care Association and report to the Royal Institute for Chartered Surveyors, our services also come with Japanese knotweed insurance that ensures the terms of treatment are upheld no matter what.

 

For more information on our Japanese knotweed removal services or tips on how to detect any knotweed present on your potential purchase, why not drop us a line today? Call now on 029 2039 7554 or get in touch online by clicking the button below.

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