Okay, right off the bat let’s start by saying that there’s never a “good time” to find Japanese knotweed on your property.

A major pest of Mother Nature, this vexatious vine can wreak havoc on your homestead and cause serious structural damage from beneath the surface.

That being said, there are better times than others when it comes to treating it and keeping it under control. This blog aims to help you with just that.

So, clear your diary and save the date: it’s time to vine and dine with Japanese knotweed.

Treating Japanese Knotweed Organically

Japanese knotweed can spread through your garden like a campus cold during Freshers week. As such, quite literally nipping it in the bud can save you untold headaches down the line.

That being said, like most garden activities, there are certain times of the year that are better than others when it comes to ensuring the most effective treatment.

If you’re looking to go the non-chemical route, there are a variety of options and techniques you could explore. Here are a few suggestions along with the best times to go about it.

Pulling/Digging

For smaller populations that are new to your property and not yet made themselves at home, hand removal is a viable option during the growing season.

Break up the soil around the rhizome with a fork or shovel and haul that weed out of its freshly loosened liar.

Smothering

Smothering is a better option for larger patches of knotweed that are more well-established; however, it’s by no means a quick-fix. In fact, this technique can literally take years to achieve the desired effect.

Cut the stems as low as possible and cover with heavy-duty black plastic. If the resulting aesthetic is unsightly, cover with a further layer of mulch to mask the plastic’s appearance.

This route is most effective when implemented during the early summertime. During this period, the surrounding plants will be at the height of their growth, exhausting some of the rhizome’s reserves.

Treating Japanese Knotweed with Herbicides

If the softly, softly approach isn’t working and you’re looking for a less subtle way of banishing your knotweed nightmares from whence they came, herbicides provide the heavy artillery.

Japanese knotweed controls its nutrients in line with the seasons: during the spring and early summer, it channels its nutrients upward from the roots to the shoots, while it does the opposite during the late summer and autumn in preparation for winter.

For the best results, it’s wise to apply your herbicide at the end of the summer prior to the wintry weather kicking in, taking advantage of the natural downward flow of the plant's nutrients.

Professional Japanese Knotweed Treatment

Regardless of which option you choose, Japanese knotweed is a formidable foe and one that shouldn’t be taken lightly.

If you really are serious about giving ridding your property of knotweed in an effective manner that limits the possibility of a return, it’s wise to consider calling in the professionals.

At Taylor Weed Control, we specialise in Japanese knotweed removal and offer a wide range of services to ensure your weedy woes are stopped dead in their tracks.

With over 15 years’ experience, we’ve seen it all and lived to tell the tale – the same can’t be said for the knotweed we’ve met along the way.

For further details on the best time to control Japanese knotweed or more information on our Japanese knotweed removal services, why not get in touch today? Call now on 029 2039 7554 or click the button below to request a FREE weed removal survey.

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Japanese knotweed is a highly invasive plant that grows quickly and can cause significant damage to buildings, roads, and other types of infrastructure that stand in its way.

If you've discovered Japanese knotweed on your property, you're probably eager to get rid of it as soon as possible - but don't be too hasty!

It's extremely important to take care when disposing of Japanese knotweed. Under UK law, those who help the plant to spread - even accidentally - may face:

• Up to 2 years in prison
• Or a fine of up to £5,000

How to Dispose of Japanese Knotweed (Without It Spreading!) 

Japanese knotweed didn't become such a widespread problem in this country by pure coincidence. The plant's rhizome root system allows it to spread from one location to another with frightening ease - a single small root fragment can quickly grow into a whole new plant!

This is why you simply can't be too careful when disposing of Japanese knotweed. Failure to follow the law can end up fostering further knotweed growth, and frankly, this species is doing just fine for itself without any extra assistance from us. 

Japanese knotweed can't be thrown onto the compost (unless you seal it away to rot for at least 6 months before hand), and you can't take it to the tip. So, how can you dispose of Japanese knotweed safely? 

What’s the Right Way to Dispose of Japanese Knotweed?

While it's not illegal to dispose of Japanese knotweed yourself (as long as you know exactly what you're doing), it's usually preferable to hire a contractor who knows how to dispose of Japanese knotweed properly.

Broadly speaking, there are two ways to deal with Japanese knotweed, both of which are generally better left to the experts:

1. Excavation - The Japanese knotweed is dug up using heavy earth-moving machinery, then transported to a specialist landfill site with the relevant environmental permit (taking care at all times not let any contaminated soil or plant matter find its way into the wild).
   
   
2. Herbicide - Over a number of months, the Japanese knotweed is repeatedly sprayed with herbicide to control the plant's growth.

Although there are certain situations where option 1 may be preferable (e.g. if there is a tight deadline for clearing the site of Japanese knotweed), herbicide application is by far the cheaper option and is usually sufficient to prevent Japanese knotweed from causing any long-term problems.

Japanese Knotweed Removal Services From Taylor Weed Control

When it comes to Japanese knotweed, it’s best to ensure that it is removed properly first time around. This is the best way to ensure that Japanese knotweed doesn’t become a recurring issue, or you don’t accidentally get fined for it spreading. Taylor Weed Control specialises in herbicide-based Japanese knotweed control, and we offer this service throughout South Wales, the South West and beyond.

We are registered with the Property Care Association, and our reports are approved by the RICS (Royal Institute for Chartered Surveyors), so you can rely on us to handle your Japanese knotweed problem in accordance with all applicable laws and regulations.

FREE Japanese Knotweed Survey >

Last updated 5th July 2022

Transcript: How to Prevent Japanese Knotweed from Spreading

If you think there is a risk of Japanese knotweed on your property it is ABSOLUTELY VITAL that you prevent it from spreading into neighbouring gardens and beyond! Failure to prevent Japanese knotweed from spreading can lead to:

• Prosecution and a fine of up to £5,000!
• Extensive damage to your property
• Difficulties trying to sell your home

How does Japanese Knotweed Spread?

Japanese knotweed has a reputation for being incredibly persistent. It tends to find a way around most conventional methods of weed control, so special care has to be taken to control or remove it properly before it spreads. Any movement of the Japanese knotweed rhizomes, even tiny fractions in the soil, can lead to it spreading. So how does Japanese knotweed spread? Does it spread in more than one way? And what can you do to prevent the spread?

It commonly spreads if:

• You use infested top soil on your lawn
• You allow contaminated vehicles onto your property
• You leave early signs untreated

Scientific research has shown that as little as 0.7 grams of Japanese knotweed rhizome can be enough to create a new plant, that's why preventing Japanese knotweed from spreading is so hard! Here are a few ways you can prevent Japanese knotweed from spreading, follow these steps to help control the spread of Japanese knotweed. 

Solution:

• Always buy your top soil from a reputable supplier
• Brush or jet wash contaminated vehicles before leaving an infested area
• Treat early signs of Japanese knotweed right away!

Spotted Japanese Knotweed on Your Property?

Here’s How to Deal With it:

Burn it

1. Dig up as much of the Japanese knotweed as you can.
2. Leave the Japanese knotweed canes to dry out.
3. Burn them!
4. Dispose of remains properly – rhizomes may survive the burning process.

Bury it

1. Dig up as much of the Japanese knotweed as you can
2. Cover it in a root barrier membrane so that it won’t be able to re-establish underground.
3. Choose an area of your own land to bury the remains.
4. Dig a hole at least 5m deep & bury.

Leave it to the Experts!

1. Head to taylor-weed-control.co.uk/japanese-knotweed-removal.
2. Request a FREE lawn survey & speak to our team about your Japanese knotweed problem.
3. Arrange a date for us to attend your property.
4. Sit back, relax & let us do the rest!

To prevent Japanese knotweed from spreading you need to treat it sooner rather than later! Our Japanese knotweed team have over 15-years of experience in preventing Japanese knotweed from spreading – call Taylor Weed Control on 029 2039 7554 today!

For more information on how to prevent Japanese knotweed from spreading, hit the button below now and get in touch for a FREE survey.

Request a FREE Survey

If you're a homeowner or an individual that has recently bought a piece of land or maybe you're planning on buying some land to build on, it's important for you to be aware of the laws and legalities surrounding planning permission and everybody's favourite beast from the east, Japanese knotweed! 

As Japanese knotweed is classed as an intrusive plant here in the UK, there are a number of laws that surround the eastern Asian plant which may impact on your ability to extend your house or build one altogether. To make things a little clearer, let's take a look at some of these laws and what impact that may or may not have on your chances of gaining planning permission.

Planning Permission with Japanese Knotweed 

For individuals considering planning permission for their property, it is essential that the checks are conducted for the presence of Japanese knotweed. If carried out and there is a suspicion that the plant is present, it is vitally important that a survey is requested by an ecological surveyor. If its presence is then confirmed, a control programme suitable for the site in which the property sits will need to be planned as part of the planning application, which includes the safe removal of the knotweed. Planning conditions to ensure the control programme is performed sufficiently should be imposed.

Planning Conditions 

Planning conditions are imposed on sites where Japanese knotweed is known to be present in order to prevent the spread of the invasive plant, which under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 is an offence. Japanese knotweed is notorious for devaluing sites, as well as causing major structural damage to any buildings which may be developed on contaminated land. A management plan will need to be put into place which contains a number of the following things:

• The objective of control action 
• An assessment of control options
• Criteria for completion 
• Advice on preventing spread around site 

So, despite all of the hysteria surrounding Japanese knotweed, planning permission is still possible if found near your property! However, a stringent and effective plan to manage it must put into place before work can be carried out. 

If you have reason to believe that Japanese knotweed is present on your premises and require experienced professionals to assess and remove it, then do not hesitate to get in touch with Taylor Total Weed Control today for our expert Japanese knotweed removal services! 

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