A study conducted by a team of Swansea University scientists has come across a rare Japanese knotweed hybrid near Cardiff.

The knotweed cross-breed is commonly known as Connolly’s knotweed – a blend of traditional Japanese knotweed and similar-looking plant, Russian vine.

While Connelly’s knotweed is fairly rare on UK soil, records have shown a rise in prominence of the rare plant across continental Europe.

With this emergence in South Wales comes growing concerns that Britain’s knotweed problem could get worse.

Problem Might Get Worse

The study was part of a larger investigation conducted by Swansea University College of Science conducted over the course of eight years.

The thorough examination into the knotweed problem also included the world’s largest Japanese knotweed field trial.

According to Swansea University’s Sophie Hocking, the PhD student leading the Japanese knotweed study, had this to say:

“If future climatic conditions become favourable for these seeds to germinate successfully, our Japanese knotweed problem might get worse.

A seed bank full of hybrid knotweed could mean a second wave of invasion following treatment of the initial problem.”

Take Action Early

With scientific evidence posing a grim update into the growing Japanese knotweed issue nationwide, the UK’s on-going battle with the villainous vine proves to be far from over.

While the impact of this latest discovery remains to be seen, the importance of taking eradicative action on Japanese knotweed upon discovery has never been more evident.

Early discovery and early attention can help minimise the issue and limit the damage caused by the unwelcome guest.

Knotweed Removal

If you believe you may have Japanese knotweed on your property or suspect there may be Japanese knotweed on a neighbouring property, act fast to nip the problem in the bud before it gets out of hand.

At Taylor Weed Control, we specialise in evicting Japanese knotweed from your property for good. With over 15 years’ experience in the knotweed game, our team of experts are more than capable of wiping out your weedy woes.

Our services are available across South Wales and the South West, including Cardiff and Swansea. Whether you knotweed is of the Japanese or Connelly variety, we don’t discriminate – we’ll help you say “sayonara” to your knotweed problem today.

For more information on the Japanese knotweed removal services available at Taylor Weed Control, why not drop us a line today? Call now on 029 2039 7554 or get in touch online by clicking the link below.

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Recent research has uncovered some insightful stats regarding the Japanese knotweed hotspots in the UK, which could pose a worry to homeowners in Wales and the West. It has been revealed that the most serious Japanese knotweed hotspots reside along the west coast.

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Selling a house whose garden is infested with Japanese knotweed is a tricky proposition. Japanese knotweed can have an impact on the value of a property, and make your home less desirable in the eyes of potential buyers.

It may be tempting to just play dumb and pretend you're unaware of the invasive species in your back garden, but if you conceal the fact that there is Japanese knotweed on a property you're selling, you may be breaking the law.

Whether you're a homeowner or an estate agent, here are some tips to help you complete the sale AND stay on the right side of the law.

First, make sure it actually IS Japanese knotweed.

If you think there's Japanese knotweed on a property you're trying to sell, your first course of action should be to call an expert.

Note that Japanese knotweed looks quite similar to a number of other plants and weeds - including bindweed, Russian vine, broadleaf dock and ground elder, so we recommend contacting a Japanese knotweed specialist and asking them to carry out a survey of your property.

An experienced professional will be able to confirm whether or not you have a Japanese knotweed problem and advise you on what to do next.

READ MORE: How to Identify Japanese Knotweed

Declare the knotweed presence

Japanese knotweed isn't technically classified as a 'notifiable weed', but since 2013, the Law Society's TA6 form includes a specific question on the subject of Japanese knotweed. Failure to disclose information relating to a knotweed infestation on your property can be deemed a breach of Consumer Protection Rights regulations.

Naturally, such a transgression can have legal ramifications, providing solid grounds for misrepresentation and potentially leaving you open to a lawsuit. So it's best to be honest and upfront about the issue during the entire selling process.

Insurance backed guarantee

If it turns out that you do indeed have Japanese knotweed on your property, it's important to take action as soon as possible. The longer you leave it, the worse the knotweed infestation will get.

Mortgage lenders can be extremely hesitant to lend the full amount if a property has Japanese knotweed. However, lenders can be persuaded - you just need to take a proactive approach.

We recommend finding a Japanese knotweed removal specialist who offers a knotweed insurance backed guarantee, i.e. a warranty that will safeguard you in the event that the infestation should return after treatment.

If you can demonstrate that appropriate removal measures have been implemented, this will potentially convince mortgage lenders to overlook the fact that you have Japanese knotweed on your property (or at last lead them to be more sympathetic to your situation).

READ MORE: Mortgages & Japanese Knotweed

Don't expect a quick fix

Japanese knotweed control can be a lengthy process - several visits will be required, and a complete course of treatment often takes around three years. If you want to maximise your home's value, you may want to refrain from selling until after your knotweed problem has been eradicated.

That being said, if you really are in a rush to sell your house despite the presence of Japanese knotweed, you may be forced to take a hit on the sale price in exchange for speed of the sale. This might mean that lenders are put off, in which case you'll have to take the cash buyer route; as a result, you could see the sale price drop by up to 20% below market value.

Call the professional

Essentially, if you're serious about selling a house that has Japanese knotweed (and you don't fancy dealing with a lawsuit or slashing your sale price), your best option is to call in the pros and get to the root of the problem.

Here at Taylor Total Weed Control, we specialise in Japanese knotweed removal and have over 15 years' experience under our belts. For a long-term solution with an insurance-backed guarantee, Japanese knotweed removal from Taylor Weed Control is the smart choice for you and your property.

Contact us to request a FREE survey

Finding Japanese knotweed in your garden can be quite a punch in the gut. Unfortunately, it's now your responsibility to ensure that this invasive plant species does not spread from your property to somebody else's (law explained here).

Calling in a specialist contractor to take care of your Japanese knotweed problem can be costly - accordingly, it's not unusual for desperate homeowners to attempt a bit of DIY Japanese knotweed removal.

However, we DO NOT RECOMMEND removing Japanese knotweed yourself. The UK has strict laws in place to limit the spread of Japanese knotweed, and if you accidentally help this alien species to spread further, you may be prosecuted. Instead of taking the DIY approach, you're better off getting in touch with an experienced professional who knows how to control Japanese knotweed properly.

Our Japanese Knotweed Removal Service >>

Why shouldn't I remove Japanese knotweed myself?

Because you can get into serious trouble if you do it wrong. To quote the UK government's advice on how to dispose of Japanese knotweed:

"You could be fined up to £5,000 or be sent to prison for up to 2 years if you allow contaminated soil or plant material from any waste you transfer to spread into the wild."

Even a tiny fragment of Japanese knotweed root can grow into a whole new plant if it finds its way back into the soil. For this reason, knotweed must be handled with extreme care at all times, and there are rules about how you can dispose of it.

Again, we DO NOT RECOMMEND removing Japanese knotweed on your own. It's far safer to use a specialist contractor who's registered with the Property Care Association.

That said, we know that some people will ignore all warnings and attempt to clear away Japanese knotweed on their own anyway. With that in mind, we've put together a few DIY Japanese knotweed removal tips for those who are determined to do it themselves, regardless of the risks.

DIY Japanese knotweed removal tips

If you're determined to take on the sinister soil-dweller from The Land of the Rising Sun by yourself, it's not a decision to be taken lightly.

The slightest misstep could see the roots spread further and totally monopolise your garden. This may even have a negative impact on the value of your home.

As such, it's important get it right first time. To avoid accidentally spreading the plant, follow these tips...

1. Act quickly.

Japanese knotweed is notoriously difficult to get under control so early action is vital - this is no time to sit around and smell the roses.

Take action as soon as possible to nip the problem in the bud and catch your knotweed nuisance before it gets out of hand.

2. Remove all traces of the plant's roots.

The best way to take assertive action in your knotweed war it to get to the root of the problem by attacking the roots. Sadly, this is easier said than done and can be a lot more difficult than you might think.

Japanese knotweed roots (more properly called 'rhizomes') can bury themselves up to two metres below the surface. Worse still, it only takes a small piece of rogue root to grow into a new plant and potentially spread further.

3. Don't rely on 'alternative' treatments.

Alternative Japanese knotweed treatments and natural remedies - such as coffee, lime and vinegar - are very much like trying to cure a serious illness without prescription medication or surgical treatment. The evidence of their success is dubious at best.

When it comes to Japanese knotweed, there is no substitute for herbicides and specialist chemical treatment. While it may be tempting to go down the organic route for the health of your garden and the health of your pocket, the chances of it working is slim.

4. Be thorough.

The regenerative powers of Japanese knotweed are pretty remarkable. Even the smallest of remains boast surprising resilience and can regrow into an entirely new plant, making wholesale eradication an arduous yet necessary process.

In order to fully rid your property of Japanese knotweed, it's crucial to tackle every part of the wily weed. Failure to do so will only result in the issue returning down the line.

Professional Japanese knotweed removal

While it is theoretically possible (and legal) to remove Japanese knotweed from your property by yourself, the odds of achieving permanent success via the DIY route are slim.

In fact, for those looking to sell their property, a professional treatment plan may be a pre-requisite in order to stand any chance of selling in the first place. Many estate agents and mortgage lenders will need assurance from a professional that the problem is under control before any headway can be made.

If you want to maximise your chances of getting rid of your Japanese knotweed, it's best to call in the pros. Japanese knotweed specialists will be fully equipped with the tools and techniques necessary for an everlasting eviction.

At Taylor Total Weed Control, we have over 15 years' experience in Japanese knotweed removal. Our expert team of weed removal specialists are well-versed in the art of knotweed war and more than capable of tackling the most vicious of vine infestations.

Request a FREE Japanese Knotweed Survey

While Japanese knotweed is always first to grab the negative headlines when it comes to destructive garden weeds, the last month has seen a rise in cases of its often-overlooked offspring, Bohemian knotweed.

Despite being less famous than its Asian counterpart, Bohemian knotweed can be just as destructive, if not more so.

To spare your home life from this monstrosity, here’s a quick overview to help keep your property free of this horticultural horror.

What is Bohemian Knotweed?

Also known as Hybrid knotweed, the Bohemian version is the result of cross-fertilisation between Japanese knotweed and giant knotweed.

Much like the Japanese and giant varieties, Bohemian knotweed spreads rapidly through its rhizome network, with the ability to cause untold damage to buildings and residential properties.

As such, it’s important to catch it early and begin treatment as soon as its presence is detected.

Any Way the Wind Blows

While it may be lesser-known than its infamous parents, Dr Peter Fitzsimons of the PCA’s Invasive Weed Control Group notes that hybrid plants can be even more harmful than the parent plant.

Bohemian knotweed is no exception to this rule and has the potential to be a cause for concern.

“In other parts of the world where Hybrid knotweed is more common, they are seeing signs of fertile seed production,” says Fitzsimons. “The existence of seed-producing hybrid knotweeds may enable these plants to spread even more rapidly.”

Another One Bites the Dust

Much like Japanese knotweed and giant knotweed, Bohemian knotweed is listed under Schedule 9 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act.

While it can be disruptive around buildings and potentially have a negative effect on mortgages and house price, it can be controlled using established techniques and processes.

At Taylor Weed Control, we specialise in weed removal and have over 15 years of industry experience. No job is too big for our team of trained weed removal specialists!

If you believe you have a knotweed problem on your property, don’t wait until it’s too late. Call Taylor Weed Control now and untangle your knotweed problem today.

For more information on knotweed removal services or to request a FREE survey, call now on 029 2039 7554 or click the button below to get in touch online.

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